New Tax Era Begins: FG Promises “Responsible and Humane” Implementation — What Nigerians Should Expect
As Nigeria prepares to roll out its new tax laws in January 2026, the federal government has assured citizens and businesses that the implementation will be fair, transparent, and sensitive to economic realities.
During the inauguration of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC) over the weekend in Abuja, the committee chairman, Joseph Tegbe, laid out the government’s approach: responsible, humane, and highly consultative.
What’s Happening?
The Federal Government is about to begin implementing the newly signed tax laws next month. To guide the process, a special committee (NTPIC) has been set up to:
• Oversee implementation
• Consult with stakeholders
• Address concerns around the new tax rules (including Capital Gains Tax)
• Ensure businesses aren’t harmed
This committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
“We Will Not Implement Taxes Harshly” — Tegbe
Tegbe emphasized that the new tax regime won’t be executed in a way that hurts businesses or causes panic among Nigerians. Key highlights include:
1️⃣ Implementation will be “responsible and humane.”
• The committee acknowledges the economic pressures on citizens and businesses.
• The goal is to encourage business growth, not stifle it.
2️⃣ Wide consultations will take place.
The committee will engage:
• Business owners
• Professional bodies
• Civil society
• Subnational governments
• Investors
No policy will be implemented in secrecy.
3️⃣ No surprise changes or aggressive enforcement.
Tegbe assured:
“There will be no surprises… the systems we are building will reduce uncertainty and protect the most vulnerable.”
“Government Will NOT Encroach on Personal Bank Accounts”
One major fear among Nigerians is that the government may start monitoring or deducting money from personal bank accounts in the name of tax enforcement.
Tegbe addressed this directly:
“The government has no business irresponsibly encroaching on personal bank accounts… Nigerians are not under probe.”
This clarification aims to dispel circulating fears about automatic bank deductions or mass financial monitoring.
Areas of Concern — Especially Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
The public has raised several concerns about the new Capital Gains Tax rules.
Tegbe confirmed:
• The committee is aware of these concerns
• There will be further clarification
• Policies will be adjusted where necessary
• Stakeholder engagement will determine the final shape of CGT implementation
He described the government as “humane” and sensitive to investor worries.
Why This Matters
This new tax phase is designed to:
• Strengthen Nigeria’s tax administration
• Align federal and state systems
• Improve ease of doing business
• Build investor confidence
• Increase revenue without overburdening citizens
If implemented as promised—fairly and transparently—it could modernize Nigeria’s tax environment and reduce uncertainty for businesses.
As Nigeria prepares to roll out its new tax laws in January 2026, the federal government has assured citizens and businesses that the implementation will be fair, transparent, and sensitive to economic realities.
During the inauguration of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee (NTPIC) over the weekend in Abuja, the committee chairman, Joseph Tegbe, laid out the government’s approach: responsible, humane, and highly consultative.
What’s Happening?
The Federal Government is about to begin implementing the newly signed tax laws next month. To guide the process, a special committee (NTPIC) has been set up to:
• Oversee implementation
• Consult with stakeholders
• Address concerns around the new tax rules (including Capital Gains Tax)
• Ensure businesses aren’t harmed
This committee was inaugurated by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.
“We Will Not Implement Taxes Harshly” — Tegbe
Tegbe emphasized that the new tax regime won’t be executed in a way that hurts businesses or causes panic among Nigerians. Key highlights include:
1️⃣ Implementation will be “responsible and humane.”
• The committee acknowledges the economic pressures on citizens and businesses.
• The goal is to encourage business growth, not stifle it.
2️⃣ Wide consultations will take place.
The committee will engage:
• Business owners
• Professional bodies
• Civil society
• Subnational governments
• Investors
No policy will be implemented in secrecy.
3️⃣ No surprise changes or aggressive enforcement.
Tegbe assured:
“There will be no surprises… the systems we are building will reduce uncertainty and protect the most vulnerable.”
“Government Will NOT Encroach on Personal Bank Accounts”
One major fear among Nigerians is that the government may start monitoring or deducting money from personal bank accounts in the name of tax enforcement.
Tegbe addressed this directly:
“The government has no business irresponsibly encroaching on personal bank accounts… Nigerians are not under probe.”
This clarification aims to dispel circulating fears about automatic bank deductions or mass financial monitoring.
Areas of Concern — Especially Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
The public has raised several concerns about the new Capital Gains Tax rules.
Tegbe confirmed:
• The committee is aware of these concerns
• There will be further clarification
• Policies will be adjusted where necessary
• Stakeholder engagement will determine the final shape of CGT implementation
He described the government as “humane” and sensitive to investor worries.
Why This Matters
This new tax phase is designed to:
• Strengthen Nigeria’s tax administration
• Align federal and state systems
• Improve ease of doing business
• Build investor confidence
• Increase revenue without overburdening citizens
If implemented as promised—fairly and transparently—it could modernize Nigeria’s tax environment and reduce uncertainty for businesses.