Taiwo Oyedele: I Receive Death Threats Over Tax Reform Implementation
Taiwo Oyedele says he receives death threats over the tax reform implementation as government pushes ahead with new tax laws.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has disclosed that he has received death threats following the implementation of Nigeria’s tax reform laws, which took effect on January 1, 2026.
Oyedele made the revelation while speaking at a public forum in Abuja, where he described the tax reform process as one of the most difficult and risky policy undertakings in the country. According to him, strong resistance from sections of the public and vested interests has led to threats against his life, underscoring the personal cost of pushing structural reforms in Nigeria.
He explained that much of the backlash stems from misinformation and deep mistrust of government, with many Nigerians wrongly believing that the reforms introduce new or higher taxes. Oyedele clarified that the reforms are aimed at simplifying, harmonizing and reducing multiple taxes, improving efficiency in tax administration and creating a fairer system that encourages compliance rather than burdening citizens.
Despite the threats and criticism, Oyedele said the reforms are necessary to fix what he described as a broken tax system and to address Nigeria’s chronically low tax-to-GDP ratio. He stressed that meaningful reform requires courage and sustained political will, noting that silence from those who support the changes allows negative narratives to dominate public discourse.
The tax reform agenda includes major legislative changes designed to streamline revenue collection, broaden the tax base and enhance transparency in fiscal management. Analysts say Oyedele’s comments highlight the intense debate surrounding economic reforms in Nigeria and the challenges policymakers face when implementing far-reaching changes in a politically sensitive environment.
