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You Cannot Tax Nigerians Into Prosperity: A Scathing Call for Suspension of Tinubu’s Tax Law
You Cannot Tax Nigerians Into Prosperity: A Scathing Call for Suspension of Tinubu’s Tax Law.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“How the National Opposition Movement Frames President Tinubu’s Tax Reform as an Economic Assault on the People of Nigeria.”
On 17 December 2025, the political and economic fault lines in Nigeria widened sharply when the National Opposition Movement (NOM) issued an unequivocal demand for the immediate suspension of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new tax law, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. At a press conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, NOM described the tax overhaul as punitive, exploitative and harmful to the everyday lives of ordinary Nigerians, warning that its implementation would exacerbate hardship, deepen inequality, heighten social tensions and erode national cohesion amid an already severe economic crisis.
This resounding opposition is not merely rhetorical dissent though it echoes grounded economic anxieties and taps into the lived realities of a populace grappling with rising food prices, escalating electricity tariffs, unemployment and a collapse of public services. To fully grasp the gravity of NOM’s demands, it is essential to contextualise the new tax law, examine the socioeconomic dynamics underpinning the backlash and assess its implications for Nigeria’s fraught political economy.
What Does the New Tax Law Entail? The tax reforms in question consist of a series of four legislative acts signed into law on 26 June 2025, namely:
Nigeria Tax Act
Nigeria Tax Administration Act
Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act
Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act
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Collectively, these laws envision a broadened tax base that mandates all Nigerian adults of taxable age (regardless of employment status) to file tax returns between January 1 and March 31, 2026, with penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, business owners are required to file tax returns for all employees, including those earning below the taxable threshold, a departure from previous practices.
Proponents including the Presidency and the Federal Government assert that the reforms will streamline tax administration, improve efficiency, broaden the revenue base, exempt genuine low-income earners and ultimately strengthen public finances. However, these stated benefits are deeply contested by critics who argue that the reforms fall far short of equitable and effective tax policy.
NOM’s Core Criticisms: An “Assault on the Poor”. At the heart of NOM’s criticism is the belief that the tax laws are not genuine reforms but an assault on the economic wellbeing and social security of Nigerians, especially the most vulnerable:
1. A Tax at the Worst Possible Time
NOM emphasises that Nigeria is in the throes of a multidimensional crisis, characterized by:
Rising poverty and homelessness
Food scarcity and high cost of living
Worsening insecurity
Declining purchasing power
In such conditions, adding fresh tax obligations (especially unaccompanied by improved services or social protections) is perceived as deeply insensitive and economically reckless.
As Dr. Amina Bello, Senior Fellow in Public Policy at the Centre for Economic Governance, recently observed, “Reforming taxation must start with equity, transparency, and capacity and not coercion. Taxing people into poverty only accelerates economic decay.”
2. Disproportionate Impact on the Poor and Vulnerable
Critics argue that the new regime will disproportionately harm low-income Nigerians. Despite government claims of exemptions for the poor, mandatory filings for unemployed adults and penalties for non-compliance are widely viewed as an undue burden on those already struggling to survive. Small and medium-sized businesses, already squeezed by inflation and weak demand, fear added bureaucratic costs and compliance liabilities.
Economist Professor Chukwuemeka Nnaji of the University of Lagos warned, “A tax system that compels returns from the unemployed, the underemployed, and those in the informal sector (without addressing their constraints) is not reform; it is a regressive extraction of what little remains.”
3. Weak Institutional Capacity
NOM highlighted Nigeria’s chronic institutional weaknesses; limited internet access, inefficient service delivery and widespread corruption within revenue agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The group criticised an undisclosed Memorandum of Understanding between FIRS and a French tax agency as lacking transparency and accountability.
This distrust is not unfounded. Transparency International’s latest assessments underscore longstanding concerns about governance failures and revenue mismanagement in Nigeria. Economist and governance expert Dr. Khadijah Ibrahim argues that “tax compliance must be built on trust; where institutions are opaque, taxation becomes synonymous with exploitation.”
4. Failure to Tie Taxation to Public Services
Another central criticism concerns the lack of direct, credible commitments that increased tax revenues will translate into improved public services. Nigerians continue to endure chronic electricity outages, deteriorating healthcare systems, poorly performing schools, and inadequate security. NOM contends that citizens are being asked to pay more without a guarantee of tangible returns in public welfare.
Public finance scholar Professor Olufemi Adesina summed it up:
“A tax system divorced from visible public benefit is a moral failing. Citizens pay taxes to see better roads, functional health systems, safety and opportunity, not to subsidise inefficiency.”
NOM’s Demands: Beyond Suspension. NOM’s call for suspension is accompanied by detailed policy prescriptions:
Immediate halt to the tax plan’s implementation
Nationwide consultations with labour unions, civil society, SMEs, professionals and state governments
Explicit social protection guarantees tied to any future tax reforms
A shift in tax focus toward luxury consumption, excess profits, monopolies and corrupt gains
Stronger legal safeguards to protect taxpayer rights
This reflects a desire for a more inclusive and equitable policy process, one that acknowledges economic realities and empowers citizens rather than penalizes them.
Political and Social Implications. NOM’s stance aligns with ongoing resistance from organised labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), both of which have raised alarm over governance and economic policies under the Tinubu administration.
The opposition’s framing of the tax law as an “assault” signals deepening trust deficits between the government and significant segments of the public. Without dialogue and compromise, there is a tangible risk of escalating social unrest, strikes, and further fragmentation of national unity.
Defending Tax Reform and Or Misdiagnosing the Problem? Supporters of the tax reforms argue that Nigeria’s historical reliance on oil revenues has starved government coffers and that broadening the tax net is essential for sustainable fiscal policy. International financial institutions have long urged Nigerian administrations to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation to reduce dependence on volatile oil earnings.
However, this perspective faces critical pushback: What use is a broader tax base if millions cannot afford basic necessities? If institutional corruption persists unchecked? If tax revenues do not translate into visible public goods?
This fundamental tension lies at the heart of the current crisis of confidence.
A Moment of National Choice: A Nation at a Crossroads. The demand to suspend Tinubu’s tax law is more than a political slogan—it is a clarion call for governance rooted in equity, accountability and public trust. As Nigeria approaches the implementation deadline, the administration faces a pivotal choice: engage in genuine dialogue and recalibrate policy, or risk deepening an already perilous socio-economic divide.
As Dr. Aisha Mohammed, an expert in fiscal policy, warned, “Tax reform cannot be a dagger aimed at the poor. It must be a bridge to shared prosperity.”
In the final analysis, Nigerians should not be taxed into poverty; they must be taxed toward prosperity; where taxation and service delivery form a pact of mutual accountability and where no citizen is left to shoulder the weight of systemic failures alone.
–Why unresolved wealth claims, political proximity, and silence in the face of formal media enquiry are testing the moral bar of Ijebu’s most sacred throne
The Awujale of Ijebuland is not merely a crown—it is a moral institution, a custodian of centuries-old values, and a symbol of integrity that has outlived empires, colonial rule, and political upheavals. That is precisely why the reported interest of Mr. Abimbola John Onabanjo in the revered stool has triggered intense public scrutiny and growing unease.
At the heart of the controversy are serious but unproven allegations, persistent questions about wealth accumulation, and—most strikingly—silence in response to a detailed formal media enquiry issued to allow fair hearing.
Why the Awujale Stool Matters
Historically, the Awujale stool has stood apart in Yorubaland. From pre-colonial times through modern Nigeria, Awujales have wielded not just authority, but moral restraint—serving as arbiters, cultural anchors, and voices of conscience.
Unlike political offices, the throne demands moral legitimacy, not just eligibility by lineage. Any aspirant, therefore, is held to a standard far higher than ordinary public figures. Reputation matters. Perception matters. Transparency matters.
Wealth, Lifestyle, and the Burden of Explanation
Public attention has focused on claims questioning whether Mr. Onabanjo’s reported lifestyle and assets align with publicly known sources of income. Among the allegations circulating in civic and political circles are claims attributing to him:
A solar energy installation allegedly running to several millions , allegedly imported from Germany and installed by foreign technicians
A luxury residential property in Ikoyi, reportedly valued at about ₦4.5 billion
Luxury wristwatches allegedly valued at approximately USD 4 million
These figures, if accurate, place Mr. Onabanjo among Nigeria’s ultra-high-net-worth individuals—raising legitimate public-interest questions about wealth provenance. No court has ruled on these matters, but the absence of voluntary clarification has amplified scrutiny.
Money-Laundering and Political Proximity Allegations
More troubling are allegations—unproven but persistent—suggesting possible links to money-laundering and other illicit financial flows. There are also claims that Mr. Onabanjo acts as a financial front for a prominent South-West governor who has reportedly fallen out with the presidency in recent times.
These claims allegedly would pose a direct threat to the political neutrality historically associated with the Awujale stool. Traditional institutions thrive on distance from partisan power. Perceived political capture risks eroding public confidence not only in the throne, but in the broader traditional system.
It bears repeating: no charges, indictments, or judicial findings have been established against Mr. Onabanjo. Yet, editorially, silence does not neutralise concern—it magnifies it.
Declared Companies and Allegations of Financial Conduits
Further scrutiny has centred on companies publicly associated with Mr. Onabanjo, including Kleensteps, Extol Security, Scent Arcade, and KMF Oil & Gas. Allegations—again unproven—suggest these entities may be used as conduits for illicit funds, alongside claims of other undeclared companies allegedly linked to questionable transactions.
In investigative journalism, such claims demand verification—not dismissal. Equally, they demand response.
The Media Enquiry—and the Silence
In strict adherence to journalistic ethics and the principle of fair hearing, this newspaper formally issued a detailed media enquiry to Mr. Abimbola John Onabanjo. The enquiry requested clarification on:
Source of wealth and luxury assets
Lifestyle–income consistency
Money-laundering allegations
Political financial links
Nature and legitimacy of declared companies
Alleged undeclared business interests
Suitability for the Awujale stool in light of unresolved concerns
The enquiry explicitly stated that:
The report was under editorial review
No conclusions had been reached
The story had not been published
Any response would be fully and fairly reflected
As of press time, no response was received.
This silence is now a central fact of the story.
Why Silence Is Not Neutral
In matters involving private individuals, silence can be a right. In matters involving aspiration to one of Nigeria’s most sacred traditional institutions, silence becomes a public issue.
The Awujale is expected to command respect not by coercion, but by moral clarity. When serious questions arise, engagement—not evasion—is the currency of credibility.
A Test Beyond One Candidate
This controversy is bigger than Mr. Onabanjo. It is a stress test for the Awujale succession process itself. Will modern expectations of transparency coexist with tradition? Or will silence, speculation, and political shadows define the future of a once-unassailable institution?
Editorial Position
This newspaper makes no declaration of guilt. Allegations remain allegations. However, the burden of reassurance rests with the aspirant, not the public.
Until clear, verifiable explanations are offered, the questions will persist—and rightly so.
The Awujale stool deserves clarity, not controversy; truth, not whispers; and leadership beyond reproach.
History is watching. So is Ijebuland.
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Banditry: Victims’ Families write President Tinubu Over Turji’s Confession, Demand Former Govs Yerima, Bafarawa’s Arrest.
Banditry: Victims’ Families write President Tinubu Over Turji’s Confession, Demand Former Govs Yerima, Bafarawa’s Arrest.
Bothered over persistent insecurity across the country, a coalition of families torn apart by rampant banditry in Northwest Nigeria has appealed directly to President Bola Tinubu to investigate serious allegations against two former governors.
The Coalition of Families Affected by Banditry, representing victims who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods to relentless violence, has written a letter to the President in Abuja.
Exhausted by domestic inaction, they called on the President to help uncover the truth behind claims that policies under former Zamfara Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto Governor Attahiru Bafarawa laid the groundwork for the region’s insecurity through the seizure of grazing reserves and arming of vigilante groups.
In the letter signed by Chairperson Otuba Rawene, Secretary Sani Usman, PRO Haj. Hadijat Abdullahi, and 20 others, the group said: ” Many of us have lost loved ones in brutal killings, seen family members abducted, or been forced to flee our homes, leaving behind livelihoods and communities destroyed by violence.
“We write to Your Excellency with a profound sense of urgency and responsibility, seeking your support in addressing grave allegations recently made public by notorious bandit leader Bello Turji.
“In a widely circulated video released in December, 2025, Turji accused former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima and former Sokoto State Governor Attahiru Bafarawa of laying the foundations for the current insecurity crisis.
“Specifically, he claimed that their policies— including the seizure and sale of grazing reserves and the arming of vigilante groups that targeted Fulani communities ignited ethnic tensions and cycles of reprisal violence that evolved into today’s widespread banditry.
“While we acknowledge that Bello Turji is a wanted criminal responsible for countless atrocities, including the deaths of many of our relatives, we believe these allegations warrant serious and impartial scrutiny.
“As the proverb goes, ‘where there is smoke, there is fire.’ Having exhausted domestic avenues for justice often met with inaction or allegations being dismissed we turn to the President, a steadfast champion of human rights and accountability, as our last hope for uncovering the truth and ensuring justice prevails.
“The scale of suffering caused by banditry in Northwest Nigeria is staggering and demands international attention.
Reliable reports indicate thousands of civilian deaths, mass displacements, and profound economic devastation. For instance, between 2018 and 2020 alone, armed banditry caused at least 4,900 deaths.
“In the first half of 2025, over 2,266 people were killed by insurgents and bandits, surpassing the total for all of 2024. Recent data document thousands abducted annually, with verified ransom payments reaching billions of naira (e.g., N2.57 billion between July 2024 and June 2025).
“These attacks have displaced hundreds of thousands, disrupted agriculture and trade, deepened poverty, and inflicted lasting trauma on survivors. Communities live in constant fear, with bandits imposing illegal levies and operating with impunity.
“As victims seeking justice and an end to this cycle of violence, we implore the Nigerian government to publicly to launch a prompt, independent, and thorough investigation into Bello Turji’s allegations against the named former governors. Offer technical assistance or support international oversight to ensure the probe is credible and free from political interference.
“Advocate for broader measures to address impunity, including sanctions if evidence of complicity in serious crimes emerges. We firmly believe that accountability for those who may have contributed to this crisis regardless of their status is essential to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring peace.”
Ajadi Fulfils Solar Power Promises to PDP Offices, INEC Facility in Egbeda
Ibadan — In a move widely described by party stakeholders as a demonstration of integrity and accountable leadership, a leading gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has fulfilled his earlier promises by donating solar power systems and electrical appliances to key political and electoral offices in Egbeda Local Government Area.
The fulfilled pledges include the installation of solar panels and fans at the PDP State Secretariat, as well as solar power systems at the PDP Egbeda Local Government Secretariat and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Egbeda.
The intervention, which was carried out recently, is aimed at addressing persistent power challenges affecting administrative efficiency, particularly at grassroots political and electoral offices.
Speaking during the presentation, Ambassador Ajadi said the gesture was driven by his belief that public institutions and democratic structures must be supported with practical solutions, not mere promises.
“I believe leadership begins with keeping one’s word. When I made these promises, I did so with a clear intention to fulfil them. Today, we are not commissioning projects; we are simply honouring commitments,” Ajadi said.
He noted that unreliable power supply has continued to hamper effective service delivery across public offices, stressing that renewable energy remains a sustainable alternative.
“Solar energy is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. Political parties, electoral bodies and public institutions must function efficiently, and power is central to that efficiency. This is my modest contribution to strengthening our democratic institutions,” he added.
Ajadi, who has consistently engaged party stakeholders across Oyo State, said the intervention was not politically transactional, but part of his long-standing commitment to community development and institutional support.
Officials of the PDP at both the state and local government levels commended the aspirant for what they described as rare political sincerity, noting that many promises made by politicians often remain unfulfilled.
A senior PDP official at the Egbeda Local Government Secretariat, who spoke on behalf of party members, said the donation would significantly improve day-to-day activities at the secretariat.
“This is a clear example of action matching words. With this solar installation, our offices can now function without disruption, meetings can be held seamlessly, and party administration will improve,” the official said.
Similarly, staff at the INEC Egbeda office expressed appreciation for the solar power support, noting that stable electricity would enhance election-related preparations and administrative duties, especially during peak periods.
Political observers in Ibadan described Ajadi’s action as a strategic grassroots confidence-building measure, particularly at a time when public trust in political leadership remains fragile.
Ambassador Ajadi reiterated that his political aspiration is anchored on credibility, service and people-oriented governance, promising to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen institutions and improve the welfare of communities across Oyo State.
“Governance is about impact. If allowed to serve, my administration will prioritise infrastructure, transparency and sustainable development from the grassroots upward,” he said.
The fulfilment of the power intervention has further positioned Ajadi as a politician whose approach emphasises delivery over declarations, a quality many party faithful say is urgently needed in Oyo State’s political landscape.
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