Senator Jimoh Ibrahim from Nigeria’s Ondo South Senatorial District has vocally opposed the United Nations’ proposal for a global taxation system aimed at funding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This opposition was articulated during the interparliamentary opening session in New York on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Senator Ibrahim described the UN’s global tax proposal as “inappropriate and unacceptable,” arguing that the international system lacks the authority to enforce such a taxation scheme globally. He highlighted the anarchic nature of international relations, emphasizing the absence of a comprehensive framework to regulate such a taxation system effectively.
“Global taxes will further exacerbate inequality within the geocentric system,” Senator Ibrahim stated, suggesting that such measures could ironically undermine the UN’s efforts to eradicate poverty by 2030. Instead of supporting the global tax, he proposed an alternative where environmental polluters compensate Africa to alleviate the continent’s debt burden, thereby enabling African nations to finance their SDGs independently.
The senator’s critique comes at a time when discussions on international tax cooperation have gained momentum, particularly following the UN General Assembly’s vote to begin formal negotiations for a UN framework convention on international tax cooperation. This initiative, which has seen significant support from developing nations, aims to create a more inclusive and effective global tax system. However, it has faced resistance from some developed countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and several EU nations, which have expressed concerns over sovereignty and the complexity of implementing such a system.
The Nigerian senator also praised President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to the SDGs in the national budget proposal during the UN session, urging for a more inward-focused approach by the United Nations to ensure the success of these goals. He suggested that with the 2030 deadline approaching, a thorough review of current strategies is imperative.
This development adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing debates about international taxation, highlighting the diverse perspectives within the international community on how best to fund global development initiatives. The UN’s push for a global tax system, while aimed at ensuring equitable resource distribution for sustainable development, faces significant challenges, including those voiced by Senator Ibrahim, in gaining universal acceptance.
