The Meaning and Allocation of Taxing Powers in Nigeria: Lessons from Ethiopia

Abstract

Various taxing power-related challenges have negatively affected the governance of state and federal governments of Nigeria since1999 to date. For instance, the poor drafting of the Nigerian constitution of 1999 and the failure on the part of the policy makers to adequately distinguish and delineate the taxing powers of the state and federal governments has given rise to sharp divisions and jurisdictional conflict-related litigation. Accordingly, the article examines these and other related flaws in the Nigerian and Ethiopian tax laws. Moreover, the relevant constitutional provisions in these countries are comparatively discussed to, inter alia, recommend possible measures that could be employed to remedy such flaws in Nigeria and Ethiopia. In this regard, it is submitted that the Nigerian tax laws and the Nigerian constitution of 1999 should be amended to provide a clear position on the taxing powers for both state and federal governments. Lastly, the authors submit that the Nigerian policy makers should consider adopting the Ethiopian model for the allocation of taxing powers.