₦airaland Forum

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that his involvement in Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform agenda has exposed him to serious threats to his personal safety.

Oyedele made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at a governance colloquium organised to commemorate the 50th birthday of Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination. Eyes Of Lagos reports,

Addressing participants at the event, Oyedele described tax reform as one of the most challenging forms of governance intervention, noting that efforts to correct entrenched systems often provoke resistance from powerful interests.

“Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats simply for trying to fix a broken system,” he said.

He explained that Nigeria’s reform efforts face deep-rooted obstacles, including low public trust in government, poor tax compliance, and a limited understanding among citizens about the link between taxes paid and public services delivered.

According to Oyedele, Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains significantly lower than that of comparable economies, making comprehensive reform not only necessary but inevitable.

He urged Nigerians who support the reform agenda to actively engage in public discourse, warning that silence enables opponents to dominate the narrative.

Oyedele disclosed that the Federal Government began implementing the new tax laws on January 1, 2026, describing the reforms as a turning point in Nigeria’s fiscal management.

The tax reform framework is anchored on four major legislations:

Nigeria Tax Act 2025

Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025

Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025

Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act 2025

He identified trust as one of the most critical challenges confronting the reform process.

“The trust in government and within government is very low,” Oyedele said, adding that Nigeria’s weak tax culture has left many citizens unaware of their tax obligations.

The tax reform chairman also pointed to a major communication gap, noting that many Nigerians mistakenly believe the reforms introduce additional taxes, rather than streamline and reduce multiple levies.

“Suddenly, there is national awareness, and people say the government has brought taxes everywhere, when in reality what is happening is a reduction and harmonisation of taxes they were already paying,” he explained.

Oyedele stressed that implementing the reforms requires courage, political will, and a willingness to take risks, given the political, economic, and reputational consequences involved.

“You need the courage to push through. It’s very risky,” he said.

Despite facing threats and online criticism, Oyedele maintained that the current reform strategy is unavoidable, likening it to a necessary but painful medical procedure.

“What[b] we have been doing with the tax system all my adult life was like a pain reliever. It didn’t take us far.
Now we are doing the surgery. It will come with pain, but it is the right thing to do.”
[/b]
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, describing the current reforms as the most meaningful progress he has witnessed and calling for sustained commitment to achieve lasting results.

Dreal1247:
You should have helped the government to stop frivolous spending and block the leakages through which our national treasury is being looted especially in the petroleum industry. How can you be increasing the taxes when the NNPC cannot account for billions of dollars spent for the turnaround maintenance of the refineries that have stopped working for decades? . Yet they are not working. Where is the money and where are the people who received it? Yet the media is silent over it.

datola:
Can you mention a specific tax he increased that's affecting you and other ordinary Nigerians

eyesoflagos:
https://eyesoflagos.com/2026/01/15/i-receive-threats-over-tax-reform-implementation-taiwo-oyedele/

Dreal1247:
You should have helped the government to stop frivolous spending and block the leakages through which our national treasury is being looted especially in the petroleum industry. How can you be increasing the taxes when the NNPC cannot account for billions of dollars spent for the turnaround maintenance of the refineries that have stopped working for decades? . Yet they are not working. Where is the money and where are the people who received it? Yet the media is silent over it.

mikeapollo:
Do you know that some people will be paying more as PAYE tax from January according to the new tax law?

Bhella5:
You are not making sense. The Tax laws have come to stay. No going back.

addexx:
You there earning minimum wage shouting no going back please show us your tax profile. And highlight the benefits you've gained since you started paying tax that is if you've ever paid.

Borrow2222:
Do you think he cares about that?

Their own definition of patriotism is supporting every dumb policy from their ethnic president.

Forgetting that patriotism means supporting your "country" against any aggression or bad policy, whether foreign or domestic.

TimiofAbuja:
lolzzz.... to drop 7.5% is not easy oooo when we know it will be stolen. threat to his life is bad also

Morenikeji090:
Wait self this tax nonsense just dey confuse person up and down… if someone is to make a transfer of 1 million naira to me how much would I received pls enlighten me…??

Atlantis585:
That’s because you are trying to do a copy and paste of US tax system thereby making life so hard for the Nigerian people. Our economic system is quite different from the more advanced and organized American economy. Try something more home grown and easily acceptable.

Lasky2000:
I wonder why this government is hell bent in formulating policies that will create burdens to Nigeria. I am waiting for them to implement policies that will benefits Nigerians

Morenikeji090:
Wait self this tax nonsense just dey confuse person up and down… if someone is to make a transfer of 1 million naira to me how much would I received pls enlighten me…??

Dreal1247:
You should have helped the government to stop frivolous spending and block the leakages through which our national treasury is being looted especially in the petroleum industry. How can you be increasing the taxes when the NNPC cannot account for billions of dollars spent for the turnaround maintenance of the refineries that have stopped working for decades? . Yet they are not working. Where is the money and where are the people who received it? Yet the media is silent over it.