The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing poverty and boosting economic opportunities for citizens through the proposed Tax Reform Bill.
According to the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, the bill is designed to ease the financial burden on low-income Nigerians and encourage the growth of small businesses.
Speaking at the Spokespersons’ Summit organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in Abuja, Oyedele outlined the key provisions of the reform.
These include the exemption of low-income earners from paying Personal Income Tax (PAYE) and the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential services such as food, education, and healthcare.
In addition, the proposed bill advocates a zero per cent Corporate Income Tax (CIT) rate for small businesses, a move that Oyedele says will stimulate grassroots entrepreneurship and economic inclusion.
“Tax issues are not always popular because people find it difficult to part with their money—especially when they can’t see the benefits of what the government is doing with it,” he remarked, acknowledging public skepticism around tax reforms.
He noted that the committee relied heavily on data to identify the country’s tax challenges and develop solutions tailored to the Nigerian context.
“That is exactly what we have done with the tax reform bill, which is now close to being passed and signed by the President,” Oyedele added.
Emphasizing the bill’s potential impact, he said its implementation would lead to tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
“We want Nigerians to have the opportunity to create wealth. When they succeed, they can then pay taxes—not the other way around,” he stated.
Also speaking at the summit, NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, stressed the role of professional communicators in shaping public understanding of government policies.
He attributed widespread misconceptions about the tax reforms to ineffective communication.
“When the government says, ‘This is what we want to do,’ it’s up to trained experts—not quacks—to develop effective communication strategies,” Neliaku said.
He disclosed that NIPR is collaborating with relevant stakeholders to establish a robust communication framework for the tax reform initiative.
Similar efforts, he noted, are underway in sectors such as climate action and science communication.