![Popular Small-Size Actress Aunty Ajara Dies After Liver Illness [VIDEO]](https://thepunchng.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20241109_125042-75x75.jpg)
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has disclosed that he has received threats to his life over his role in implementing Nigeria’s far-reaching tax reforms.
Oyedele made the revelation in Abuja on Tuesday 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.
According to him, driving reforms that challenge entrenched interests in a system long resistant to change demands uncommon courage.
“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.
Key Challenges to Tax Reform
Oyedele identified deep mistrust of government, a weak tax compliance culture, and poor public understanding of fiscal exchange as major obstacles to the successful implementation of the reforms.
He noted that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains significantly lower than that of comparable countries, making comprehensive reforms unavoidable.
Call for Public Support
Urging Nigerians who support the reforms to speak out, Oyedele warned that silence allows misinformation and opposition to dominate public discourse.
He stressed that public trust remains the most critical challenge, explaining that many Nigerians wrongly believe the reforms introduce new taxes rather than reduce and harmonise existing ones.
“There is suddenly a national awareness, and people say the government has brought taxes all over the place, when in fact what we are doing is reducing the taxes they have been paying and harmonising them,” he explained.
“This Is Surgery, Not a Painkiller”
Oyedele acknowledged that the reforms carry political, economic, and reputational risks, but insisted that bold action is necessary.
“You need the courage to push through. You need the courage to take risks, because it’s very risky,” he said.
Despite facing online abuse and personal threats, he defended the reform strategy, describing previous approaches as temporary fixes.
“What we have been doing all my adult life with the tax system was a pain reliever. It hasn’t taken us far. Now we’re doing the surgery. It will come with pain, but it is the only right thing to do,” Oyedele stated.
New Tax Regime in Effect
Expressing optimism about Nigeria’s fiscal future, Oyedele described the current reform momentum as unprecedented and urged citizens to remain committed to long-term stability.
The Federal Government began enforcing the new tax regime on January 1, 2026, following the enactment of four major laws:
- Nigeria Tax Act 2025
- Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025
- Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025
- Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act 2025
