Policy expert Taiwo Oyedele has responded to recent concerns surrounding gazetted copies of Nigeria’s new tax laws.
Recall that Abdussamad Dasuki, a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, alleged that multiple versions of the new tax laws are in circulation, and that the officially gazetted copies differ from the versions actually passed by the National Assembly.
Taiwo Oyedele, chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, joined Channels TV to discuss the issue on ground.
He clarified that the matter is not a legislative versus executive blame game, nor a political contest, but a critical governance issue centered on process integrity.
Oyedele emphasized that tax policy directly affects citizens and lies at the heart of the social contract.
He cautioned against misinformation, noting that a viral document claiming specific alterations to the tax laws surfaced before the committee set up to investigate the matter had even convened.
He stressed that reforms must be anchored in trust and facts, not fear or speculation, which only create uncertainty and undermine public confidence.
“Rather than spreading misinformation, this moment should be seized to strengthen our processes, deepen accountability, and build a tax system that moves Nigeria forward,” Oyedele stated.
He further warned that rejecting or stalling reform is not a neutral choice, as it perpetuates a broken system that overtaxes workers, hurts small businesses, sustains multiple nuisance taxes, and distorts economic growth.
He also encouraged Nigerians to embrace reform, safeguard integrity in governance, and ensure that tax systems serve as a foundation for inclusive and sustainable economic progress.
