The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the recent digital tax agreement between Nigeria and France, warning that the deal strengthens President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ties with France rather than serving Nigeria’s national interests.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party said it supports efforts to modernise Nigeria’s tax system but expressed serious concerns about the transparency, timing and implications of the agreement signed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with the French government.
The ADC said expert reviews of the agreement indicate potential risks to Nigeria’s data security and the exposure of sensitive national economic information to foreign interests. It added that explanations offered by the FIRS had failed to address public concerns, particularly given what it described as the hurried and secretive manner in which the agreement was concluded.
Questioning the benefits of the deal to France, the party asked why the Federal Government entered into what it called a far-reaching agreement without full public disclosure, consultation with the National Assembly, or adequate engagement with Nigerians.
The ADC also placed the agreement within a wider regional context, noting that several West African countries are reassessing or severing long-standing ties with France. It argued that Nigeria, under the Tinubu administration, appeared to be deepening its relationship with France at a time when others were moving away.
Citing Nigeria’s local content policy, the party questioned why foreign partnerships were being prioritised despite the availability of competent local service providers, warning that the agreement could undermine domestic capacity and increase dependence on external actors.
The ADC called for the immediate publication of the full terms of the agreement, a formal briefing of the National Assembly, and an independent assessment of its implications for data protection, cybersecurity and national sovereignty. It said the agreement should be terminated if these conditions are not met.
