- Taiwo Oyedle says he has received death threats for pushing for tax reform, warning that an overhaul of Nigeria’s weak tax system is inevitable despite the risks.
- He said a number of long-standing challenges continue to hinder meaningful reform.
- He cited deep public distrust of government, weak tax compliance and insufficient understanding of fiscal exchanges as key obstacles.
Chairman of the Presidential Commission on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Taiwo Oyedele, has revealed that he has received threats on his life over his ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s tax system.
Oyedele disclosed this on Tuesday while speaking at a symposium commemorating the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala-Usman. He said it takes extraordinary courage to pursue reforms that challenge Nigeria’s vested interests.
“Reform is hard, tax reform is even harder. You need courage. I’ve been threatened just for trying to fix a broken system.” Oyedle said.
He said a number of long-standing challenges continue to hinder meaningful reform. He cited deep public distrust of government, weak tax compliance and insufficient understanding of fiscal exchanges as key obstacles.
Oyedele also noted that Nigeria’s tax revenue remains significantly lower than comparable economies and that reforms are inevitable if the country hopes to achieve sustainable economic growth.
He warned that without comprehensive changes, Nigeria would continue to face difficulties in revenue mobilization and public service delivery. Despite the risks, Oyedele stressed that failure to take action would cause greater damage to the country’s future.
