The African Action Congress’s 2023 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has voiced strong reservations about Nigeria’s new tax reforms, warning that policies that overly burden poor citizens are likely to spark public resistance. In a recent interview on Channels Television’s *The Morning Brief*, Sowore emphasized that Nigerians are already facing significant economic strain and should not be subjected to additional tax pressures.
Sowore argued that reform should focus on expanding the tax base rather than increasing taxes on citizens who are already overburdened. He noted that Nigeria’s tax collection stands at 17 %, lower than the 20 % average in many African countries, and proposed that the government prioritize broadening the tax base instead of raising taxes on those struggling to make ends meet. The human‑rights activist also questioned the credibility of the official data used to justify the reforms, accusing the government of inconsistencies and discrepancies in the tax regime. He warned that “a tax system that starts with fraud is not taxation; it is extortion.”
The Federal Government recently introduced four new tax‑reform laws, which came into effect on 1 January 2026. Controversies have emerged over alleged discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and those eventually gazetted. To address public concerns, the government released Certified True Copies of the four Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu. Despite assurances that the new tax regime will be transparent and citizen‑driven, opposition voices remain critical. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi have both argued that the laws will place an undue burden on poor citizens.
The government maintains that the reforms are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal structure, citing measures such as a full personal income‑tax exemption for individuals earning 800,000 naira or less annually. However, Sowore’s warning that taxing poor Nigerians will provoke public resistance highlights the need for careful consideration and consultation in implementing these reforms. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will balance the need for revenue with the imperative to protect vulnerable citizens.
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