The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has expressed strong reservations about Nigeria’s new tax reforms, warning that policies that overly burden poor citizens will likely 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 the focus of reform should be on expanding the tax base rather than increasing taxes on citizens who are already overburdened. He noted that Nigeria’s tax collection is currently at 17%, which is lower than the 20% average in many African countries. Sowore proposed that the government should prioritize increasing the tax base rather than raising taxes on those who are already struggling.
The human rights activist also questioned the credibility of official data used to justify the reforms, accusing the government of inconsistencies and discrepancies in the tax regime. Sowore expressed concerns that the tax system is flawed from the outset, stating 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 January 1, 2026. However, controversies have emerged over alleged discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and those eventually gazetted. The government has since released the Certified True Copies of the four Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu to address public concerns.
Despite assurances from the government 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 criticized the tax laws, arguing that they will place an undue burden on poor citizens.
The government has emphasized that the reforms are designed to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal structure, with measures such as a full personal income tax exemption for individuals earning 800,000 or less annually. However, Sowore’s warning that taxing poor Nigerians will provoke public resistance highlights the need for careful consideration and consultation in the implementation of these reforms. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the government will balance the need for revenue with the need to protect vulnerable citizens.
