Those Opposing Tax Reforms Profited for Years Without Paying Taxes, Oyedele Says

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said resistance to Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms is coming from individuals and groups who made money for years without paying taxes. Oyedele made the remark while speaking at the January business breakfast of the Franco-Nigerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) held recently in Lagos, as he addressed concerns over the reforms and the country’s weak revenue performance.

He compared Nigeria’s tax revenue with that of South Africa, noting that South Africa generated over ₦60 trillion (naira equivalent) from personal income tax alone in 2024, an amount higher than Nigeria’s total tax revenue from all sources combined. Oyedele said Nigeria collected under ₦3 trillion from personal income tax despite having a much larger population, adding that the reforms are aimed at ensuring no one is above the law and that the future of the country should not be compromised to protect long-standing tax avoidance.

Written by Adeyemi Adewale