The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN, has voiced its concerns over the Federal Government’s proposed tax reforms, asserting that such action risks escalating public distrust if issues of fairness, justice and inclusivity are not adequately addressed.
The society stated this at the formal opening ceremony of the 115th Islamic Vacation Course, IVC, of MSSN, B-Zone, held at the proposed permanent site of Al-Ummah University, along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway, Onigari, Ogun State, on Saturday.
The National President of the Society, Mallam Tajudeen Mustapha, while speaking at the event, opined that taxation in itself is not the core issue, but rather a lack of trust in how public resources are managed.
Mustapha explained that the country is facing multiple challenges, ranging from moral decline and leadership deficiencies to economic hardship and insecurity, stressing that policies perceived as unfair further undermine citizens’ faith in government.
He asserted that agreements and reforms that raise issues of sovereignty and equity can cause citizens to become sceptical and disengaged.
The national president maintained that responsibility in governance is not optional, arguing that in order to win back the public’s trust, authorities must ensure that policies are driven by justice, accountability and openness.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Amir of MSSN, B-Zone, Mallam Moshood Kolawole, described the Islamic Vacation Course as the flagship programme of the Society, noting that it provides a platform for reflection on individual progress and collective responsibility in society.
He explained that participants drawn from diverse backgrounds across southern Nigeria were gathered to confront issues of moral weakening, economic pressure, insecurity and value erosion, which he said require sincere collective action.
Delivering the lecture themed “We Are All Responsible,” the imam of the Muslim community, Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, and Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State, Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, attributed Nigeria’s worsening insecurity, corruption and moral decline to a failure of collective responsibility by citizens and leaders at all levels of society.
Abdul-Hameed clarified that when individuals and leaders fail to act responsibly, social injustice, corruption, insecurity and moral decay persist, adding that silence in the face of wrongdoing amounts to complicity.
He emphasised that accountability in Islam encompasses words, deeds and inactions, pointing out that professionals, parents, leaders and youth are all accountable for societal outcomes.
On participation and organisation, the Chief Registrar, Abdulrazak Yusuf, disclosed that a total of 10,158 delegates registered across the Edo, Delta and Rivers axis, attributing the high turnout to improvements made to the online registration system introduced in the previous edition.
He acknowledged challenges with sensitisation, noting that some members’ lack of information about online registration resulted in attempts to register in person, and urged area units to step up their educational efforts in advance of upcoming programmes.
DAILY POST reports that the 115th IVC runs annually from December 23, 2025, to January 1, 2026, and remains a major platform for spiritual renewal, leadership development and civic engagement among Muslim students across southern Nigeria.
