Abuja, January 14, 2026 – The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he is facing serious threats to his life due to his leading role in Nigeria's ongoing comprehensive tax reforms.
Oyedele made the disclosure on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, while speaking at a governance colloquium in Abuja organized to mark the 50th birthday of Hajiya Hadiza Bala-Usman, Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination.
He emphasized the challenges of implementing reforms that challenge entrenched powerful interests, stating: “Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats simply for trying to fix a broken system.”
Oyedele highlighted key obstacles to the reform process, including widespread mistrust of government, a poor tax compliance culture, and limited public understanding of fiscal exchange—where citizens often fail to see the direct link between taxes paid and public services delivered. He noted that many Nigerians mistakenly believe the reforms introduce new taxes, whereas they aim to harmonize and reduce existing multiple levies.
Despite facing online abuse, threats, and political risks, Oyedele described the reforms as essential "surgery" to address Nigeria's long-standing fiscal issues, rather than temporary "pain relievers." He expressed optimism about the country's future and urged Nigerians who support the changes to speak up, warning that silence allows opponents to dominate the narrative.
The federal government commenced enforcement of the new tax regime on January 1, 2026, introducing four major statutes:
- Nigeria Tax Act 2025
- Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025
- Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025
- Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act 2025
These laws, signed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025, consolidate numerous fragmented tax provisions, aim to simplify compliance, broaden the tax base, reduce burdens on low-income earners and small businesses, and boost overall revenue through better administration and economic growth.
The threats underscore the resistance often encountered when structural reforms target vested interests in Nigeria's tax system.
