Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that his involvement in implementing comprehensive tax reforms in Nigeria has exposed him to serious threats to his life.
Oyedele made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at a governance colloquium organised to mark the 50th birthday of Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination. He described tax reform as one of the most difficult aspects of governance, particularly because it challenges entrenched interests.
“Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats simply for trying to fix a broken system,” Oyedele said.
He explained that the reform process is confronted by several obstacles, including widespread mistrust of government, weak tax compliance culture, and limited public understanding of fiscal responsibility. According to him, Nigeria’s tax revenue remains far below that of comparable countries, making reform inevitable.
Oyedele urged Nigerians who support the reforms to speak out, warning that silence allows critics and misinformation to dominate public discourse. He noted that one major challenge has been poor communication, which has led many citizens to believe the government is introducing new taxes rather than streamlining existing ones.
“There is a perception that taxes are being increased everywhere, when in reality the government is reducing and harmonising multiple taxes that people have already been paying,” he explained.
The federal government commenced enforcement of new tax laws on January 1, 2026. The reforms are anchored on four major legislations: the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act 2025.
Oyedele identified lack of trust as a major barrier to success, stressing that both citizens’ trust in government and trust within government institutions remain low. He added that pushing through the reforms requires political will and personal courage due to the political, economic, and reputational risks involved.
Despite facing threats and online abuse, Oyedele defended the reform agenda, describing it as a necessary but painful process. He expressed optimism that Nigeria is on a positive path and urged patience and perseverance to achieve long-term benefits.
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