The Federal Government has dismissed concerns about a possible increase in taxes, insisting that its current priority is not to raise tax rates but to expand the number of Nigerians paying taxes.
The clarification was made on Thursday by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, during a meeting with a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) at his office in Abuja.
According to Oyedele, the government remains focused on improving tax compliance by ensuring that all eligible taxpayers fulfill their obligations under the country’s tax laws.
Government Rules Out Tax Increase
Addressing concerns over Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, the minister stated that the Federal Government has no plans to increase existing tax rates.
Instead, he said the objective is to broaden the nation’s tax base by bringing more eligible individuals and businesses into the tax net.
Oyedele stressed that Nigeria’s challenge is not necessarily low tax rates but the relatively small number of people who currently pay taxes.
He noted that improving compliance would generate more revenue while promoting fairness across the tax system.
More Taxpayers, Not Higher Taxes
The minister explained that the government is working towards a system where everyone who is legally required to pay taxes does so.
According to him, expanding the tax base will reduce the burden on compliant taxpayers and strengthen government revenue without imposing additional tax increases.
“We are still not getting enough revenue from taxes.
“It is not about increasing taxes but making sure that those who are supposed to pay tax pay. We want to promote fairness in tax administration,” Oyedele said.
CITN Commended For Tax Awareness Initiative
Oyedele also praised the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria for introducing a National Tax Awareness Day.
He described the initiative as an important step towards improving public understanding of taxation and supporting the Federal Government’s ongoing tax reform agenda.
The minister urged the institute to intensify its public enlightenment campaigns, noting that many Nigerians still perceive taxation simply as a way for government to take money from citizens.
According to him, greater awareness is needed to help people understand the role taxes play in funding infrastructure, public services and national development.
Tax Reforms Continue
The latest remarks come as the Federal Government continues implementing reforms aimed at modernising Nigeria’s tax administration and improving revenue generation.
Officials have repeatedly maintained that the reforms are designed to simplify tax administration, improve compliance, eliminate inefficiencies and create a fairer system for individuals and businesses.
The government has also emphasized that increasing the number of compliant taxpayers remains a key objective of the ongoing reforms, rather than introducing higher tax rates for Nigerians.
