By Nchetachi Chukwuajah
Netizens have urged the Federal Government to end systemic corruption and improve the quality of citizens’ life through targeted policies before introducing taxes.
This was in reaction to a statement by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, explaining that small businesses and minimum-wage earners are exempted from paying taxes in the new tax law effective from January 1, 2026.
Oyedele stated this during a panel discussion with the theme ‘The New Tax Law and You’ at the 24th Annual Conference of the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) on Thursday, November 6.
In their comments across various social media platforms in response to the news, some Nigerians stressed that citizens would be willing to pay taxes if their conditions improve and if the government is transparent with how taxpayers’ money is spent.
In his speech, Oyedele said the government’s tax reforms are designed to “reward compliance” and ensure that businesses have the opportunity to grow before being taxed.
He said: “We started the tax and fiscal reform with how people do business, how those businesses grow, and how finance is placed.
“You can’t knock on the door and say, ‘Tax me.’ Let’s have a conversation on how to create a business that can pay corporate tax. So, the reforms are people-centric.
“If you run a small company where your annual turnover, that’s income that you get, is N100 million or less, your corporate tax rate will be zero per cent. What is even more interesting is that the Corporate Affairs Commission has announced that they will register 250,000 small companies free of charge.”
Oyedele further noted that under the new tax law, critical sectors, such as food, health, transportation, education, and rent, would be fully exempted from paying Value-Added Tax (VAT).
The fiscal policy expert added the government had established a new Office of the Tax Ombudsman to protect taxpayers and reduce harassment by revenue officials.
Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), @Emperor_furbo said, “Interesting! Taxing is one of the avenues govts augment their IGR; effective taxing policies encourage citizens to pay their taxes. However, such drive is sustained when the developmental strides match their efforts. Less tax for SMEs/Entpr could help steer sustenance/expansion.”
On Facebook, Emmanuel Eyinmisan Adewole wrote: “Collect tax from people you didn’t provide employment for or provide an economy that is business friendly. Fight to end corruption and criminal politicians and everything will come to play on its own.”
Isaac Onobukoraye added: “End corruption, then come for tax.”
James Onn also wrote: “We are talking about how to salvage the corrupt system or possibly dissolve this contraption called Nigeria and you are here telling us about tax.”
