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By John Ogunsemore
The National Opposition Movement (NOM) has demanded the immediate suspension of the implementation of the new tax reform laws.
The movement, which membership cuts across opposition parties, labor, civil society and professional associations, made the demand at a world Press Conference held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
Hon. Chille Igbawua spoke on behalf of the group and was flanked by other members including Salihu Lukman, Aisha Salifu, Solomon Dalung and Kenneth Okonkwo among several others.
The reforms, comprising four acts signed into law by President Tinubu on June 26, 2025—the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act—are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The Tinubu administration has described them as measures to streamline tax administration, broaden the revenue base, reduce corporate taxes for larger businesses, exempt low-income earners, and improve efficiency without overburdening the poor or small enterprises.
However, NOM strongly disputed this characterization, asserting that the changes represent “not a tax reform; it is an assault on the livelihood of ordinary Nigerians.”
The group painted a grim picture of the country’s socio-economic conditions, citing widespread poverty, rising insecurity, homelessness, starvation, and a declining quality of life, with Nigeria ranked lowest globally in some economic indices.
The movement said, “The situation in Nigeria today is terrible. Many Nigerians can barely afford food, transport, security, or pay their electricity bills and rents. It is sad that at a time like this that the Tinubu administration is preparing to roll out the most punitive and exploitative tax regime in the history of Nigeria.
“Even the colonial authority in its viciousness did not contemplate taxing poor Nigerians the way Tinubu plans at the beginning of the years.
“The viciousness of this administration shows that Nigeria would be hit with these exploitative and inhuman tax regimes in January when they do not have the fiscal space for such sacrifices.”
This movement said this “exploitative” tax regime points to the thoughtlessness of the Tinubu administration and its unyielding commitment to cater to the financial interests of oligarchs to the detriment of the ordinary Nigerians “who he continues to punish with all manners of taxes and raising prices”.
NOM highlighted specific provisions it views as burdensome, including requirements for all adults of taxable age—employed or not—to file tax returns between January 1 and March 31, 2026, with sanctions for non-compliance. Employers are also mandated to file returns for all employees, even those earning below taxable thresholds, and a Tax Identification Number (TIN) is compulsory for filing.
The group argued these measures are impractical in a nation with over 70 million unemployed citizens, limited internet access, and weak public service delivery.
“President Tinubu has set up an exploitative racket against innocent Nigerians. This reads like a strategy from the infamous Lagos governance. Small and medium businesses are struggling to survive under a bad policy environment.
“Yet, Tinubu continues to pile pressure on them and does not provide any serious business support,” the movement said.
NOM commended recent statements from opposition leaders and efforts by organized labor, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), in challenging the government’s economic policies.
The group positioned itself as a watchdog against perceived mismanagement, corruption, and state capture under the current administration.
It said the tax plan must not take off now, noting that Its implementation must be suspended immediately.
“This is not tax reform. This tax is a weapon fashioned against the economic wellbeing and social security of suffering and poor Nigerian citizens,” it said.
The movement also highlighted allegations of grand corruption in revenue agencies like the NNPC and FIRS (soon to be renamed Nigeria Revenue Service), lack of transparency—such as an undisclosed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between FIRS and a French tax agency for technical assistance—and favoritism toward the president’s family and associates.
The NOM outlined five key demands: Immediate suspension of the tax plan’s rollout; Nationwide consultations with labor, civil society, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), professionals, and state governments; Explicit social protection guarantees linked to any reforms; Prioritizing taxes on luxury items, excess profits, monopolies, and corruption rather than poverty; and Strong legal safeguards for taxpayer rights.
The NOM warned that forcing the reforms without consultation could lead to severe social and economic consequences, emphasizing that “you cannot tax hunger” or “tax people into prosperity.”
