Civil Society Organisation on Community Advancement and Humanitarian Empowerment Initiative (CSCHEI) has called for a strong institutional alliance between revenue authorities and anti-corruption agencies to ensure effective enforcement of Nigeria’s new tax law and to curb tax evasion, corruption and financial misconduct.
This was as the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, stated that the Federal Government would not sacrifice Nigeria’s future to protect those who have avoided taxes for years.
Also, a tax expert, Mr Olayinka Oyebola, said the new tax laws recently introduced by the Federal Government would significantly change how Nigerians and businesses pay tax, warning that unprepared individuals and organisations risk penalties under the new regime.
The civil society groups, yesterday, specifically urged sustained collaboration among the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), noting coordinated enforcement as critical to restoring public confidence in the tax system.
CSCHEI also called for fairness, equity, accountability and broad multi-stakeholder collaboration in the implementation of the new tax law, stressing that only a transparent and people-centred approach could translate tax reforms into sustainable national development.
The Director General, Kunle Yusuf, made the call at a rational retreat on the new tax law development, organised in Abuja for leaders of accredited civil society organisations (CSOs).
Speaking at the retreat with the theme, ‘Impact of Taxation on the United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda 2030’, Yusuf described taxation as a critical instrument for domestic resource mobilisation, improved social welfare and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He urged CSOs to intensify tax education and public awareness through workshops, media campaigns and community outreach, while sustaining policy engagement at local, state and federal levels.
Speaking at the January business breakfast of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) in Lagos, Oyedele addressed the resistance to tax reforms and the country’s inadequate revenue performance.
He highlighted that South Africa generated over N60 trillion from Personal Income Tax (PIT) alone in 2024, surpassing Nigeria’s total tax revenue from all sources combined.
While noting that South Africa’s per capita income is higher, Oyedele emphasised that Nigeria has the potential to significantly improve its PIT collection.
“If you take the top 60 million people in Nigeria based on income, it will be comparable to the per capita income of South Africa,” the committee chairman said. “Let’s say we can’t collect N60 trillion, why not 30? Guess how much we collected? It was under N3 trillion. Something is wrong; the maths is not adding up.”
Oyedele said the sharp disparity explains why tax reforms continue to face a lot of pushback from certain quarters.
Oyebola, Managing Partner of Olayinka Oyebola& Co, described the reforms as a major shift in Nigeria’s fiscal framework, noting that they will fundamentally reshape tax administration, compliance and revenue generation from 2026.
He spoke at a seminar entitled ‘The New Tax Law (Implication & Compliance Requirements)’, organised to enlighten clients and stakeholders on the scope, benefits and compliance obligations under the new laws.
According to him, the reform, which introduces four new tax acts, aims to promote fairness, economic growth and stricter compliance, but its success will largely depend on effective implementation and public acceptance.
On reliefs, the tax expert said small companies with yearly turnover not exceeding N100 million would benefit from enhanced tax exemptions, while larger companies would be subject to a consolidated four per cent Development Levy.
Oyebola also noted that Capital Gains Tax for companies had been increased to 30 per cent, with its scope expanded to cover indirect share transfers, digital assets, and intangible property, although reinvestment reliefs have been introduced to reduce the burden.
