Abuja, March 13, 2026 – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has emphasised that citizens must fulfil their tax obligations before holding government officials accountable, highlighting that tax compliance gives Nigerians the legal and moral standing to question public spending.
Mrs. Abiodun Olayeni-Ali, a Programme Officer at NOA, made the statement on Thursday during the inaugural edition of Civic Talks, organised by the Centre for Inclusive Social Development in Abuja. She noted that citizens who do not contribute to government revenue through taxes lack the legitimacy to demand explanations from public officials.
“You have to pay your tax, and then you can hold your government accountable. Once you are not paying, it is difficult for you to really talk. If you are not paying tax, you have no right to ask what the government is doing,” she said.
Olayeni-Ali highlighted that the majority of Nigerians do not pay taxes, leaving the burden on civil servants and a small number of salaried workers. She also alleged that some companies manipulate payroll records to reduce employee tax contributions.
To address widespread confusion and misinformation, NOA has launched nationwide sensitisation campaigns through community meetings, radio programmes, and stakeholder engagements across all 774 local government areas. The agency encourages citizens to spread the information within their communities.
While acknowledging persistent public mistrust of government, Olayeni-Ali stressed that taxes fund essential services such as public schools and hospitals. The agency’s engagement forms part of a broader effort to rebuild trust under the National Value Charter initiative.
Business owners and informal sector operators, including POS operators, electricians, and plumbers, expressed concerns about the practical impact of new tax reforms on already strained livelihoods. Questions were raised about the proposed presumptive tax for informal sector operators and the lack of visible benefits from government services.
Mr. Iniobong Usen, a Senior Programme Officer at the International Budget Partnership, said the reforms aim to correct structural weaknesses in Nigeria’s fiscal system. He explained that the previous system disproportionately burdened low-income earners while allowing wealthy individuals to pay little or no tax.
The new tax framework introduces a simplified presumptive tax system for informal sector operators, requiring small businesses without financial records to pay about 1% of their turnover. Reforms also seek to eliminate multiple taxation and curb illegal levy collection, with penalties of up to N5 million or three years imprisonment for violators.
Tax consultant Ms. Toyin Olufon noted that the nationwide debate following the reforms reflected growing public interest in fiscal policy. The framework provides exemptions for small companies with annual turnover below N100 million and net assets under N250 million, consolidates several taxes into a single 4% development levy, and introduces electronic invoicing for improved transparency in VAT collection.
Mr. Telvin Inalegwu, another tax consultant, emphasised that accountability improves when citizens monitor public spending, urging Nigerians to follow budgets and procurement processes to prevent misuse of funds.
President Bola Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law in June 2025, overhauling decades-old statutes and modernising Nigeria’s tax system to ensure fairness, transparency, and compliance.
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