Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has expressed strong optimism that the proposed Tax Reform Bill will significantly reduce poverty and empower ordinary Nigerians, particularly low-income earners and small business owners.
Oyedele made this assertion while speaking at the Spokespersons’ Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in Abuja. He noted that the bill, which is now nearing passage for presidential assent, contains sweeping changes designed to ease the financial burden on vulnerable citizens and promote inclusive economic growth.
Key provisions of the bill include the exemption of low-income earners from the Pay-As-You-Earn personal income tax, and the removal of Value Added Tax on basic necessities such as food, education, and healthcare. According to Oyedele, small businesses will also benefit from a zero per cent Corporate Income Tax rate under the proposed reforms.
He said, “This is because the issues of tax and taxation are not the most attractive to the ordinary person because it is hard to part with your money. It is even harder when you part with your money, and you cannot tell what exactly the government is using it for that benefits you.”
Oyedele explained that the committee’s approach to reform began with identifying the root causes of the inefficiencies in the current tax system, engaging stakeholders with data, and tailoring solutions to Nigeria’s unique realities.
“Then we will use data to engage with the people and design a solution for Nigeria that is made by Nigerians for the Nigerian people,” he said. “That is exactly what we have done with the tax reform bill which is now nearing passage for the President to sign.”
He also assured that once implementation begins, the benefits would become evident. “This is because we want Nigerians to be able to create wealth and become successful. When they make it big time, then they will pay taxes, not the other way round. So, we believe that this message is resonating with the Nigerian people. It is still a long way to go, but we are happy to continue with the journey,” Oyedele added.
Commending the NIPR for organising the summit, Oyedele said the forum helped to clarify the government’s intent and dispel misinformation.
NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr Ike Neliaku, stressed the importance of involving communication professionals in policy formulation and execution. He emphasised that experts, not untrained individuals, should craft strategies to help the public understand complex reforms.
“The tax reform is what this nation needs at this point, but it was essentially misunderstood because of the way it was introduced, and the mischief-makers took advantage of that to do what they want,” Neliaku said.
He added that NIPR and its communication ecosystem partners had pledged to work with the government to develop a tax communication framework and apply similar support in other critical sectors, including climate action and science communication.
Also speaking, NIPR Fellow Dr Nkechi Ali-Balogun called for a gender-sensitive approach to tax policy. She advocated exemptions for women, especially single mothers, who often serve as primary breadwinners, arguing that empowering them through tax relief would uplift their families.
Ali-Balogun praised NIPR for hosting the summit, saying it had expanded her perspective on national issues and the role of strategic communication in shaping policy outcomes.
