Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he has received threats over his role in driving wide-ranging tax reforms in the country.
Oyedele made the disclosure on Tuesday in Abuja while speaking at a governance colloquium organised to mark the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala Usman.
He said the reform process has exposed him to significant personal risk, noting that efforts to change entrenched systems often provoke resistance from powerful 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.
According to him, Nigeria’s tax reform agenda is confronted by deep-seated challenges, including low public trust in government, weak tax compliance culture and limited understanding of the relationship between taxation and public service delivery.
Oyedele stressed that Nigeria’s tax revenue remains far below that of comparable economies, making reform inevitable. He urged citizens who support the reforms to speak out, warning that silence allows opponents to dominate public discourse.
The Federal Government began implementing the new tax framework on January 1, 2026, following the enactment of four major laws: 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 a central obstacle, explaining that many Nigerians mistakenly believe the reforms introduce new taxes, whereas the objective is to reduce, harmonise and streamline existing levies.
“There is this perception that government is imposing more taxes, when in reality we are consolidating and reducing what people already pay,” he said.
Oyedele noted that pushing through the reforms requires political will and personal resolve, given the political, economic and reputational risks involved.
Despite facing online attacks and threats, he defended the reform strategy, likening previous approaches to temporary fixes.
“For years, we were applying pain relievers to a system that needed surgery. This will come with pain, but it is the only way forward,” he said.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s prospects, describing current reform efforts as unprecedented and urging stakeholders to remain committed to achieving long-term fiscal stability.
