Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has revealed that he has been facing death threats following the enforcement of Nigeria’s new tax reform laws.
He made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja during a governance colloquium, explaining that the threats are coming from individuals and groups whose interests are affected by the reforms. According to Oyedele, efforts to overhaul the tax system often attract strong resistance, especially from those who benefit from existing loopholes.
Oyedele described tax reform as one of the most complex aspects of national restructuring, citing low public confidence in government, poor tax compliance culture, and limited understanding of how tax revenue is used for public good as major challenges.
He noted that Nigeria’s tax revenue remains far below that of similar economies, stressing that meaningful reforms are no longer optional but necessary. He called on Nigerians who understand the importance of the changes to openly support them, warning that silence allows false narratives and opposition voices to dominate public debate.
The reform advocate also pointed out that the pushback against the policies highlights the personal risks faced by individuals driving reforms that threaten entrenched interests.
The Federal Government commenced the implementation of the new tax regime on January 1, 2026, following the introduction of 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.
Despite the threats, Oyedele maintained that the reforms are crucial to addressing Nigeria’s weak revenue structure, improving compliance, and strengthening public finance for sustainable national development.
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