FG Assures Stakeholders of Open Dialogue Before 2026 Tax Reforms Take Effect
In a move to promote transparency and business confidence, the Federal Government has pledged to maintain open consultation with key stakeholders ahead of the implementation of Nigeria’s new Tax Acts scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at the first edition of the Government–Private Sector Dialogue Series held in the South East under the theme “Finance and SMEs Growth Roundtable.”
️ Dialogue Before Action: Government Promises Stakeholder Inclusion
Mr. Edun emphasized that dialogue, timing, and consultation would shape the tax reform process. He described the new tax laws as a collaborative effort between the executive, legislature, judiciary, professionals, and the public, reflecting the government’s desire to make the fiscal system fair, clear, and efficient.
“There needs to be dialogue. There must be dialogue,” Edun stated. “Even the feedback we are hearing here today shows the need for more explanation and clarification. When it comes to major reform, it’s all about timing, sequencing, and consultation.”
Key Objectives of the New Tax Acts
According to Edun, the restructured tax framework seeks to:
• Enhance fairness and efficiency across all levels of the system.
• Simplify compliance through clearer rules and fewer payment points.
• Expand the tax net so that more citizens and businesses contribute appropriately.
• Promote transparency in tax administration.
He added that the reforms are part of a broader agenda to create a level playing field for investors through market-based foreign exchange pricing and liberalized petroleum pricing, both of which he said are already showing positive results.
Tech-Driven Trade Reform on the Way
Mr. Edun also revealed that the government is working on a National Single Window Project—a digital trade facilitation platform that will employ automation, digitization, and artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify import and export processes.
“The idea is to use automation, digitisation, and artificial intelligence to improve processes and speed them up,” he said, noting that the project is expected to launch in Q1 2026.
Tinubu’s Commitment to a Business-Friendly Economy
The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, described President Bola Tinubu as “the most business-friendly president Nigeria has had in recent history.”
She reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a policy document but a social contract designed to restore confidence, drive productivity, and stimulate private sector-led growth.
“President Tinubu has given us a clear directive to work hand-in-hand with the private sector to remove every obstacle standing in the way of enterprise growth,” Uzoka-Anite said.
She also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve access to finance through institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BOI), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), and the Presidential Initiative on Consumer Credit, noting that SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economic revival.
️ Infrastructure Commitment to Boost Trade
The minister further pointed out that several major infrastructure projects connecting the South East to other regions — including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Second Niger Bridge access roads, and Onitsha–Owerri corridor — are receiving renewed government attention to support logistics and interstate trade.
“While government can design policy, it is entrepreneurs like you who will build the future,” she told participants.
⚖️ Customs Seeks Partnership, Not Confrontation
Also speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Mr. Emmanuel Oshoba, urged importers to embrace accurate documentation and take advantage of pre-importation rulings for valuation and classification to ease port clearance.
“Let us be partners in progress, collaborators. We are not here to antagonize each other,” Oshoba said.
He assured traders that the Customs Service remains open to engagement, stressing that the new system will reduce delays and foster a more transparent trade process.
The Bigger Picture
The 2026 tax reform drive represents a significant shift toward a predictable, technology-driven, and investor-friendly fiscal environment. By prioritizing consultation before implementation, the Federal Government aims to strike a balance between revenue generation and business growth, ensuring that the new framework supports Nigeria’s broader economic transformation goals.
“When government opens its doors to dialogue, it sends a clear message that policy is not made for the people, but with the people,” Uzoka-Anite concluded.
In a move to promote transparency and business confidence, the Federal Government has pledged to maintain open consultation with key stakeholders ahead of the implementation of Nigeria’s new Tax Acts scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
The assurance was given by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, at the first edition of the Government–Private Sector Dialogue Series held in the South East under the theme “Finance and SMEs Growth Roundtable.”
️ Dialogue Before Action: Government Promises Stakeholder Inclusion
Mr. Edun emphasized that dialogue, timing, and consultation would shape the tax reform process. He described the new tax laws as a collaborative effort between the executive, legislature, judiciary, professionals, and the public, reflecting the government’s desire to make the fiscal system fair, clear, and efficient.
“There needs to be dialogue. There must be dialogue,” Edun stated. “Even the feedback we are hearing here today shows the need for more explanation and clarification. When it comes to major reform, it’s all about timing, sequencing, and consultation.”
Key Objectives of the New Tax Acts
According to Edun, the restructured tax framework seeks to:
• Enhance fairness and efficiency across all levels of the system.
• Simplify compliance through clearer rules and fewer payment points.
• Expand the tax net so that more citizens and businesses contribute appropriately.
• Promote transparency in tax administration.
He added that the reforms are part of a broader agenda to create a level playing field for investors through market-based foreign exchange pricing and liberalized petroleum pricing, both of which he said are already showing positive results.
Tech-Driven Trade Reform on the Way
Mr. Edun also revealed that the government is working on a National Single Window Project—a digital trade facilitation platform that will employ automation, digitization, and artificial intelligence (AI) to simplify import and export processes.
“The idea is to use automation, digitisation, and artificial intelligence to improve processes and speed them up,” he said, noting that the project is expected to launch in Q1 2026.
Tinubu’s Commitment to a Business-Friendly Economy
The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, described President Bola Tinubu as “the most business-friendly president Nigeria has had in recent history.”
She reaffirmed that the Renewed Hope Agenda is not just a policy document but a social contract designed to restore confidence, drive productivity, and stimulate private sector-led growth.
“President Tinubu has given us a clear directive to work hand-in-hand with the private sector to remove every obstacle standing in the way of enterprise growth,” Uzoka-Anite said.
She also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve access to finance through institutions such as the Bank of Industry (BOI), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), and the Presidential Initiative on Consumer Credit, noting that SMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economic revival.
️ Infrastructure Commitment to Boost Trade
The minister further pointed out that several major infrastructure projects connecting the South East to other regions — including the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, Second Niger Bridge access roads, and Onitsha–Owerri corridor — are receiving renewed government attention to support logistics and interstate trade.
“While government can design policy, it is entrepreneurs like you who will build the future,” she told participants.
⚖️ Customs Seeks Partnership, Not Confrontation
Also speaking at the event, the Customs Area Controller, Apapa Command, Mr. Emmanuel Oshoba, urged importers to embrace accurate documentation and take advantage of pre-importation rulings for valuation and classification to ease port clearance.
“Let us be partners in progress, collaborators. We are not here to antagonize each other,” Oshoba said.
He assured traders that the Customs Service remains open to engagement, stressing that the new system will reduce delays and foster a more transparent trade process.
The Bigger Picture
The 2026 tax reform drive represents a significant shift toward a predictable, technology-driven, and investor-friendly fiscal environment. By prioritizing consultation before implementation, the Federal Government aims to strike a balance between revenue generation and business growth, ensuring that the new framework supports Nigeria’s broader economic transformation goals.
“When government opens its doors to dialogue, it sends a clear message that policy is not made for the people, but with the people,” Uzoka-Anite concluded.