Nigeria’s 2026 New Taxation System, Is It Really Beneficial to Nigerian Citizen

[HARMLESS]

Begining from January 2026, Nigeria is set to roll out a restructured taxation framework publicly aimed at improving government revenue and reducing dependency on oil income.

The new system reportedly includes measures to expand the tax base, introduce digital tax collection channels, and bring informal businesses into the formal tax net.
Some analysts believe this reform could help strengthen fiscal stability, attract investors, and boost accountability in public finance.

However, others argue that with rising inflation, unemployment, and low purchasing power, this new taxation plan might burden the average citizen even more — especially small businesses and low-income earners.
As the government prepares to implement this new model, i want to ask, Will this reform actually translate into better infrastructure, jobs, and public services or is it just another way to squeeze citizens further?
What’s your take on this taxation system is it really beneficial to Nigerian citizens?

https://youtu.be/ey7Pl3xmMMY?si=-VtKldFGL_bMe_LU

the government of the day wants to finish her citizens through this tax saga. I weep for my country, Because I know the poor masses will be the one to suffer this come 2026😭😭😭😭

[Free Market Capitalist]

In other developed nations, taxations are one of the things that drive the economy of the country further but they out in place many things to actually make it work out.

You don't understand much about it. In developed economies, taxes screw up economic growth. A minimum level of public services is necessary, and for that, a minimum level of taxes is acceptable, but the state is tremendously inefficient as a market player.

If you don't want to talk nonsense, you could say that in advanced countries taxes are used to redistribute wealth to the most disadvantaged, which is only partially, and minimally, true.

Regarding this 20% flat tax proposal, I would like to see it in those countries that my friend is talking about here, which have much higher income tax bands. But no, here it looks like a measure that aims to increase the revenue currently collected by the state, which is detrimental to economic growth.

[RockBell]

I don't think Nigerians have a problem with the tax, but our are the citizens going to benefit from it,  they have been taxing for a very long time and how as it's impact be felt and that is why a lot have been kicking against it, and this is because even the firs is not transparent about the tax and they need to start showing how those money are spent that is the only way that people will believe in the system again.

Anything aside that will discourage people from trusting them because the corruption is to much and people are losing faith in democracy because all they are concerned about is how to embezzlement of funds, they don't consider any other thing than them selfs. And the government is milking the citizens and no benefits so this are all part of the reasons why people don't want to agree to the proposed bill.

[hyudien]

I'm not a Nigerian, but I do know that there are still quite a few cases of officials who only care about their own pockets. I also know that Nigeria has promising natural resources that are not being managed properly. So, regarding tax reform, what needs to be fixed first is the government system, as I said above. If people working as "officials" still engage in corruption, the taxes generated will not be able to help the citizens at all. It's as if this reform is just another tool with the pretext of benefiting the people, but ultimately only the upper class benefits. The same is happening in my country.

[uche6215]

Tax should be collected from the civil servants and not the man that is suffering to survive from the hard economy of the country. It will be very bad if the person who stand on the sun throughout the day and only to have urgent 2k (#2,000) and only for the government to cut the money through the banking system because it was sent to him through Bank. I ma not in support of this because the unemployment rate in the country is too high for the government to tax everyone. And if they want to do such thing they should employ 98% of the University Graduates.

[Callido]

The main issue that most ordinary Nigerians have with the government is TRUST, the citizens don't mind being taxed for government to raise funds to develop the country but they don't trust government officials. Nigeria, is a rich oil producing country yet the underdevelopment in the country is alarming, to mention just one we don't even have steady electricity supply despite all the money the country makes, corruption is much. This is why we are doubting that the tax reform will benefit the masses, all the revenues realized will most likely be channeling to fake contracts on paper. Let us see how it will go maybe they will prove us wrong which I seriously doubt.

At this point we do mind paying 25% as tax. 25% tax is very big for someone earning close to a minimum wage and such amount will be taxed. A minimum wage of 77K cannot keep a household, somebody earning very low we still pay 25% as tax, i feel like we are played by the government and all the tax rules is for selfish reasons.

Talking about the tax system, Nigerian government are applying for loans, the governors of different states are sending budgets of trillions of Naira, while people will be taxed heavily next year, governments will be busy lavishing every penny gotten under the new tax law.

[Marykeller]

If the citizens were allowed not to pay tax, they will be very happy to accept on this, but they have forgotten that this is what has been in place for centuries, as long as you're an income earner, you're entitled to pay for your tax, however, governments are also expected to play justice in the utility of these funds for the growth and development of the community we lived at, also, the rate should be a considerable one, such that people will not think of evading it.

If Nigeria as a country has a working government that is not corrupt, safeguards the lives and properties of its citizens and provides jobs, and enabling environment for everyone to explore and excel in the country. Nigeria paying tax won't be the citizens problem because the citizens know that the government they have will make good use of the tax money.

In Nigeria, that hasn't been the case; rather, it is an opportunity for them as the government to continue siphoning the country's money into their own pocket. The politicians are getting richer, while the masses are getting poorer.