The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee says the proposed Tax Reform Bill will play a significant role in reducing poverty and empowering everyday Nigerians, particularly low-income earners and small business owners.
Speaking at the Spokespersons’ Summit organised by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja, the committee chairman, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted key provisions in the bill aimed at easing the financial burden on vulnerable groups.
According to Oyedele, the reform bill exempts low-income earners from Personal Income Tax (PAYE) and removes Value Added Tax (VAT) from essential goods and services such as food, healthcare, and education. Additionally, small businesses will benefit from a zero percent Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate.
“These reforms are designed to support wealth creation and enable Nigerians to thrive. Our aim is to ensure people succeed first, and then pay taxes once they have the means,” Oyedele said.
He acknowledged the initial resistance and misconceptions surrounding the bill, noting that taxation is often unpopular among citizens, especially when they see little evidence of how tax revenues are used to improve their lives.
“Our approach was to identify the root of the problems using data, and then develop homegrown solutions tailored for Nigerians,” he explained. “That’s exactly what we’ve done, and the bill is now at the final stages, awaiting the President’s assent.”
Read Also:
Oyedele expressed optimism that the reforms, once implemented, would have a noticeable impact on the lives of ordinary Nigerians. He praised NIPR for convening the summit and encouraging open dialogue on government policies.
Also speaking at the event, NIPR President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, stressed the importance of strategic communication in policy formulation. He said that professional communicators play a vital role in explaining complex government policies to the public and ensuring their successful implementation.
“Every policy must have a communication plan—answering the what, when, how, and where. It’s the job of trained experts, not quacks, to translate government intentions into messages that resonate with the people,” Neliaku said.
He noted that poor communication had led to misunderstanding around the tax reform bill and allowed “mischief-makers” to misinform the public. As a result, NIPR and its partners are working with the government to develop a national tax communication strategy, alongside similar initiatives in climate action and science communication.
while commenting, Dr. Nkechi Ali-Balogun, a Fellow of the institute, called for a gender-sensitive approach to taxation. She advocated for tax exemptions for women, particularly single mothers and female breadwinners, to better support their families.
Ali-Balogun commended the summit for creating awareness and deepening understanding of critical national issues.
by PRNigeria
