The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he faces life-threatening intimidation due to his role in implementing far-reaching tax reforms in Nigeria.
Oyedele made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at a governance colloquium organized to mark the 50th birthday of Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
Addressing participants at the event, Oyedele said efforts to reform Nigeria’s tax system inevitably provoke resistance from powerful interests, making the process both difficult and dangerous.
“Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats simply for trying to fix a broken system,” he stated.
He explained that the reform agenda is confronted by deep-seated challenges, including widespread mistrust in government, weak tax compliance culture, and poor understanding of the relationship between taxation and public service delivery.
According to him, Nigeria’s tax revenue remains far below that of comparable economies, leaving the country with no viable alternative but to pursue comprehensive reforms.
Oyedele urged Nigerians who support the ongoing reforms to speak out, warning that silence allows opponents to dominate public discourse and distort facts.
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The federal government began enforcing new tax laws on January 1, 2026, ushering in four major legislations: the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act 2025.
He identified lack of trust as one of the most critical obstacles to reform, noting that many citizens wrongly believe the government is introducing new taxes rather than simplifying and consolidating existing ones.
“There is a communication gap. People think government has come to impose more taxes, when in reality, we are reducing the taxes they already pay and harmonising them,” he explained.
Oyedele stressed that successful reform requires courage, political will, and a readiness to accept risks, including political, economic, and reputational consequences.
Despite facing online abuse and personal threats, he defended the reform strategy, describing previous tax approaches as ineffective stop-gap measures.
“For most of my adult life, what we did with the tax system was pain relief. It didn’t take us far. Now we’re doing the surgery. It will be painful, but it’s the only right thing to do,” he said.
Expressing optimism, Oyedele said Nigeria is witnessing unprecedented progress and urged stakeholders to remain steadfast in order to achieve long-term national benefits.
