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President Tinubu sets up tax reforms committee, appoints Oyedele chairman

Published

3 years ago

July 10, 2023

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Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of a Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, while appointing the Fiscal Policy Partner and Africa Tax Leader at PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, as committee chairman.

The development comes barely 24 hours after the President signed four Executive Orders, suspending the five per cent excise tax on telecommunication services and the excise duties escalation on locally-manufactured vehicles.

According to the President, the committee “Will comprise experts from both the private and public sectors and have responsibility for the various aspects of tax law reform, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration,” a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy, Dele Alake, read on Friday.

According to the statement titled ‘President Tinubu sets up committee on tax reforms,’ the committee’s primary objective is to enhance revenue collection efficiency and ensure transparent reporting.

It will also promote the effective utilisation of tax and other revenues to boost citizens’ tax morale, foster a healthy tax culture, and drive voluntary compliance.

Alake cited earlier remarks by the Special Adviser to the President on Revenue, Mr Zaccheus Adedeji, who explained that Tinubu recognises the importance of a sound fiscal policy environment and an effective taxation system for the functioning of the government and the economy.

According to Adedeji, “Nigeria ranks very low on the global ease of paying taxes while the country’s Tax to GDP ratio is one of the lowest in the world and well below the African average.

“This has led to an overreliance on borrowing to finance public spending, which in turn limits the fiscal space as debt service costs consume a greater portion of government revenue, annually resulting in a vicious cycle of inadequate funding for socio-economic development.

“While some incremental progress has been recorded over the years, the outcomes have not been transformative enough to change the narrative,” he said.

Adedeji outlined the key challenges in Nigeria’s tax system, including multiple taxes and revenue collection agencies, fragmented and complex tax system, low tax morale, high prevalence of tax evasion, high cost of revenue administration, lack of coordination between fiscal and economic policies, and poor accountability in the utilisation of tax revenue.

Adedeji explained that the administration hopes to transform the tax system to support sustainable development and achieve a minimum of 18 per cent Tax to GDP ratio within three years without stifling investment or economic growth.

“It should be noted that this committee will not only advise the government on necessary reforms but will also drive the implementation of such recommendations in support of the comprehensive fiscal policy and tax reform agenda of the current administration,” the SA on Revenue added.

Oyedele, who chairs the committee, is the Thematic Lead for the Fiscal Policy & Planning Commission and Chairman of the West Africa Debt Management Roundtable of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group.

He also heads the Taxation & Fiscal Policy Faculty Board of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and is a member of the Nigerian Taxation Standards Board.

Oyedele serves as a member of the Ministerial Committee on implementing Nigeria’s National Tax Policy. He is a member of the Global Tax Forum and has previously served as a member of the Global Governing Council of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Oyedele, an Associate Professor at the Babcock University Business School, is an alumnus of the London School of Economics & Political Science, Yale University, and Harvard Kennedy School Executive Education.

He is also a guest lecturer at the Lagos Business School and the Founder and President of Impact Africa Foundation.

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Insecurity: NSCIA fumes “Enough is Enough” over attacks on Islam and Muslims in Nigeria

The warning was contained in a statement by the NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh, on behalf of the council led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar.

Published

9 minutes ago

June 30, 2026

OCHEFA

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Photo: Sultan of Sokoto Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III

The umbrella body of Muslims community in Nigeria (Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has warned the Federal Government and security agencies to act before Muslims ‘run out of patience’.

According to the NSCIA,the community’s continued restraint amid what it described as persistent attacks, profiling and marginalisation should not be mistaken for weakness.

The NSCIA also called on the government to ensure that those responsible for what it described as heinous crimes in Kaduna and Benue states were brought to justice without delay.

“While the NSCIA continues to appeal to Muslims for continuous restraint, it is imperative that government and security agencies should act decisively before the Muslims run out of patience in the light of persistent attacks and unbridled marginalization,” the council said.

The council urged the authorities to rein in what it described as persistent attacks on Islam and Muslims in public spaces, saying that was essential to preserving peace and national cohesion.

“The barrage of open assaults on the integrity of Islam and the Muslims in public spaces should be checked in the interest of peace and order. Enough is enough,” the statement added.

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NYSC to be headed by civilians under new reforms

To give legal backing to the reforms, the Federal Executive Council directed the Attorney-General of the Federation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development, to amend the NYSC Act and its regulations to facilitate the immediate implementation of the approved changes.

Published

1 hour ago

June 30, 2026

OCHEFA

11 Views

The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, announcing that the scheme will now be headed by a civilian instead of a military officer.

The approval was announced to State House correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, said that the reforms would also introduce professional training programmes for corps members to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial skills.

He explained that the NYSC would retain its one-year service duration while incorporating flexible, skills-based training programmes into the service year.

Under the new framework, he said, the scheme would remain civilian-led, while the Nigerian military would continue to be responsible for the security of corps members nationwide.

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16-Year-Old Osasere Okundaye Becomes Nigeria’s Youngest Chartered Accountant

Published

11 hours ago

June 29, 2026

Charles Flames

11 Views

In a remarkable feat that has captured national attention, 16-year-old student Osasere Okundaye has emerged as Nigeria’s youngest chartered accountant, shattering the previous record set in 2022.

Okundaye successfully completed the professional examinations of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), earning widespread acclaim as a shining example of youthful excellence and determination. Her achievement comes at an age when many peers are still navigating secondary education or early university studies.

Minister of Youth Development Ayodele Olawande congratulated the young prodigy, describing her accomplishment as an inspiring milestone. “I heartily congratulate Miss Osasere Okundaye on her outstanding achievement of becoming Nigeria’s youngest Chartered Accountant at just 16 years of age,” the minister said, highlighting her hard work and resilience as a symbol of the potential within Nigerian youth.

Okundaye’s success surpasses the record previously held by Jonathan Adewale (also known as Ojo Jonathan Adewale), who qualified as a chartered accountant at age 17 in 2022. Her qualification has sparked pride across the country and renewed focus on empowering young Nigerians in professional fields.

While full ICAN membership typically requires additional practical experience (usually three years), Okundaye’s completion of the rigorous exams marks a historic breakthrough. Details about her educational background and the journey to this achievement are still emerging, but her story is already motivating aspiring accountants and students nationwide.

This milestone underscores the growing narrative of exceptional young talent driving Nigeria forward in various sectors. Congratulations poured in from across social media and media outlets, celebrating Okundaye as a beacon of hope for the nation’s future.