My people, as we dey yarn, make we tell una say tax wahala no be small matter for Naija. As tax reform dey hot, our oga for Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, don yan say the way pipo dey resist the new tax laws dey come from serious lack of trust between dem and the government. E get reason why e be so, and na transparency matter dey vex dem pass!
For the public lecture wey dem hold for University of Lagos, dem gather big names like Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Prof. Abiola Sanni (SAN) to talk am. Dem come dey discuss wetin dem call ‘Navigating Nigeria’s Tax Reform: Implications for Fiscal Federalism and State Autonomy.’ E be like sey dem no go fit dodge this wahala wey dey come o!
As President Bola Tinubu don set January 1, 2026, as the official day to implement new tax laws like the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and others, Lagos Governor don shout say if government no fit build confidence, nobody go gree pay tax. Abeg, who wan give dem money if dem no sabi wetin dem dey do with am? Sanwo-Olu no carry mouth talk am for fun, na serious matter wey involve everybody!
Dem don talk say this tax reform suppose make things simple and fair so that everybody fit contribute their quota from big companies to small business owners. We sabi say many Naija pipo no even know how tax matter dey work, dem dey confuse. That dem talk say tax no suppose be punishment, but partnership!
Sanwo-Olu believe say if government no use di tax money well, the pipo no go gree pay. Na true talk! Wetin concern pipo na wetin dem go see as result for their life. Dem dey talk say Lagos State dey support dis whole reform by doing better tax management and dey use technology well, so that citizens no go dey worry say their money dey waste.
Chief Wole Olanipekun wey dey chair di event don warn sey if dem no make am transparent, dis tax reform fit face more resistance. E carry history talk come as e mention the Aba Women protest wey happen in 1929. Na only when governance dey work well and pipo fit trust dem government figures, then dem go gree pay tax!
In short, Olanipekun dey stress sey if tax power dey too much for the centre, wahala go dey. States suppose get their own share of power to dem go fit run their own things well. Na citizen-centered governance dey needed, one dat go show sey every kobo wey dem collect dey produce real benefit for the people.
As di toasting dey continue, Prof. Abiola Sanni also jump join for di matter, e talk say na credibility dey affect the tax reforms. People dey fear sey di money wey dem dey pay no go reach dem. If dem no fit account for di money, how pipo go gree pay? Nigeria self, we sabi sey e get plenty wahala wey dey affect our tax system, especially when it come to who supposed collect wetin.
Na so di ball dey roll, and stakeholders don gree sey if dem no fix trust issue for dis tax wahala, e go hard to make am work. Naija dey shine with potential, but if we no fit use our tax system well, how we wan develop? Dem dey urge collaboration between all levels of government and dem don present plaques to the big boys wey come talk.
So guys, as una dey shine your eye for tax matter, just know sey e no be play. Na steady focus on transparency, accountability, and results wey go make tax work for Naija. If we no see wetin di money dey do for our life, trust go still dey lag behind!
Do you have a news tip for NNN? Please email us at editor @ nnn.ng
