Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Taskforce on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has proposed exempting poor and vulnerable people from taxation, arguing that increased taxes are unnecessary for revenue generation.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he criticized the current system for taxing excessively.
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Oyedele pointed out that small vendors, such as those selling sachet water, face numerous daily levies despite their minimal earnings, which often cover basic necessities.
He highlighted that these sellers pay six to seven different levies daily, which is unacceptable.
He also noted that truckers transporting goods across states incur high costs, sometimes paying over N450,000 per trip due to multiple levies, contributing to significant inflation disparities between rural and urban areas.
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Oyedele argued that instead of introducing more taxes, Nigeria should focus on consolidating and harmonizing existing taxes.
He emphasized using data and technology to ensure tax compliance from those who should be paying, while legitimately exempting low-income earners and micro-businesses from the tax burden.
