Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, has advocated for a more inclusive approach to tax reforms, with a focus on improved support for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.
Yilwatda made the demand during a crucial inclusive tax reform town hall meeting with disability community leaders in Abuja on Tuesday.
The All-Rights Foundation Africa organised the town hall gathering, which was funded by the European Union’s Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria initiative.
Yilwatda advocated for tax relief for disability-related expenses, corporate incentives for inclusive employment, and VAT reductions on assistive devices and healthcare services to alleviate the financial burden on disabled people.
The minister also suggested that tax revenues be directed towards a national disability fund for social protection.
“Can we get tax relief for people with disabilities?” Tax reductions for disability-related expenses, such as medical treatment and assistive gadgets, are possible, and we can participate in accessibility modifications for existing structures, ensuring that all structures in Nigeria are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Tax rebates will be available for assistive devices used by people with disabilities. The corporate incentive for inclusive employment.
“Can we change VAT regulations to exempt or drastically decrease taxes on assistive technologies, mobility aids, and specialised healthcare for individuals with disabilities? This would also help in significant ways because most individuals with disabilities are struggling not only to meet their basic needs but also to access services and devices,” he noted.
He emphasised the considerable financial difficulties that disabled people endure, notably concerning medical care and the high expense of mobility aids.
Yilwatda encouraged the government to consider “tax reductions or exemptions on these expenses to ease the financial strain on those with disabilities,” allowing them to live more independently and participate fully in society.
Another significant recommendation made by Yilwatda was the establishment of corporate incentives to encourage firms to employ people with disabilities.
The minister proposed tax benefits or holidays for companies with more than a specified number of disabled employees.
This, he claimed, would encourage more organisations to adopt inclusive hiring practices, ultimately helping to integrate people with disabilities into the workforce and enhance their economic status.
Yilwatda also advocated for a “reduction of VAT on disability aids and services, which are often costly” and out of reach for many disabled people.
