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Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as the most ambitious economic overhaul in Nigeria in recent history. He predicted that Tinubu would be remembered as one of the country’s greatest economic reformers because of the bold decisions he has taken to restructure Nigeria’s fiscal system.
Dogara made the statement on Tuesday at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja while delivering the maiden edition of the Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture. The event was organised by the House of Representatives Press Corps, and his lecture was titled “Navigating Tax Reform in Nigeria: Insights on President Tinubu’s Policies.”
The former Speaker explained that the reforms were packaged in the new Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and other related laws. According to him, the reforms are meant to simplify the country’s tax system, increase government revenue, and align Nigeria’s fiscal rules with international best practices.
He said President Tinubu inherited an economy weighed down by what he called “economic debris.” Dogara listed some of the problems as excessive borrowing through Ways and Means, dual exchange rates that allowed a few privileged people to make huge profits, and crude oil forward sales tied to foreign loans. He added that by the time Tinubu assumed office, about N22.7 trillion had been printed and pumped into the economy, which weakened the value of the naira.
“Some anointed people were making hundreds of millions from forex allocations without producing anything,” Dogara said. “From day one, it was clear that urgent and revolutionary steps had to be taken to prevent the economy from collapsing. The President deserves credit for showing courage despite the resistance.”
Dogara noted that the reform package consolidates 16 different federal tax laws into four principal legislations. These are the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025. The laws will come into effect in January 2026.
According to him, the new system is expected to make tax administration easier, expand the tax base, protect low-income earners, and encourage business growth. He cited the report of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, led by Taiwo Oyedele, which stated that the reforms are designed to protect the poor, empower businesses, attract investment, and ensure fairness across society.
Among the key reliefs in the reform package are exemptions for small companies with an annual turnover of N100 million or less, rent reliefs for workers, and total exemption from personal income tax for individuals earning N800,000 or less yearly.
He also addressed public concern about the five per cent fuel surcharge, clarifying that it was not a new tax but an existing provision under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency Act of 2007. He explained that the safeguard was put in place to avoid reckless implementation and to ensure that economic conditions are considered before applying it.
Despite his praise for the reforms, Dogara warned that challenges may arise, especially in interpretation, digital readiness, and the cost of compliance. He stressed that real tax reform is not about increasing tax rates but about increasing public trust.
“When citizens can see where their money goes, they will willingly pay taxes. The revenues should be used to build infrastructure, provide healthcare, and improve education,” he said.
Dogara concluded that the reforms would leave a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations and secure Tinubu’s place in history as the most consequential economic reformer Nigeria has ever had.
Also speaking at the event, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, said the tax reform was a decisive step toward fairness and efficiency in Nigeria’s fiscal system. He was represented by the House Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, who noted that the reform is one of the most significant moves in building the country’s Fourth Republic.
Other stakeholders, including representatives of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, lawmakers, and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, all stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective communication in making the reforms successful.
Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, explained that the lecture series was created to help Nigerians better understand the tax reforms and clear up doubts. The Organising Committee Chairman, Philip Nyiam, added that the initiative would improve parliamentary reporting by positioning journalists as agenda setters and contributors to national development.
