Maryam Aminu
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has convened a two-day National Stakeholders’ Discourse aimed at deepening understanding and effective implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, as part of broader efforts to enhance fiscal efficiency and boost revenue growth across all tiers of government.
The discourse, themed “Enhancing Fiscal Efficiency and Revenue Growth under the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025,” opened on Monday at the Abuja Continental Hotel and brought together policymakers, fiscal authorities, organised labour, private sector leaders, development partners and tax experts.
Declaring the event open, the Chairman of RMAFC, Dr. Mohammed Bello Shehu, PhD, OFR, said the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, represents one of the most far-reaching fiscal reforms under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and will take effect from January 1, 2026.
Shehu noted that the Act emerged from the work of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, chaired by Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, which was mandated to address multiplicity of revenue agencies, high compliance costs, weak coordination among fiscal institutions and poor accountability in tax utilisation.
According to him, the reform process culminated in the enactment of four key legislations assented to by the President on June 26, 2025: the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.
“The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 has harmonised previously fragmented tax laws into a single statute, eliminated obsolete provisions, reduced duplication and enhanced ease of doing business,” Shehu said, adding that the law will significantly reduce compliance burdens while creating a more predictable and transparent fiscal environment nationwide.
He stressed that RMAFC, under its constitutional mandate, will continue to advise all levels of government on fiscal efficiency and revenue enhancement, while strengthening monitoring of revenue accruals to the Federation Account through forensic audits, digital tracking and collaboration with sub-national governments.
Shehu also highlighted recent improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic indicators, citing consecutive declines in inflation rates, relative stability in the exchange rate and growing contributions from the services and non-oil sectors to Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He disclosed that gross accruals into the Federation Account rose from over ₦11.9 trillion in 2023 to ₦21.4 trillion in 2024, while accruals for January to October 2025 stood at over ₦23 trillion, attributing the growth to fiscal reforms, improved coordination among revenue agencies and stronger accountability mechanisms.

In his keynote address, the Chairman, presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Prof.Taiwo Oyedele, described the discourse as timely and strategic, noting that Nigeria stands at a defining moment in its fiscal and economic development.
He said the engagement was designed to clarify provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act, identify implementation challenges, strengthen intergovernmental collaboration, reduce revenue leakages and explore innovative approaches to expanding the tax base without stifling business growth.
He described the reform as “long-overdue but necessary,” emphasizing that incremental fixes were no longer sufficient.
Professor Oyedele explained that the reforms are designed to promote fairness, simplify compliance and support economic growth, arguing that “we were taxing poverty and capital investments, and that is not the way to build a prosperous and inclusive economy.”
According to him, the new tax framework is structured to protect low-income earners, support small businesses, simplify multiple tax laws, and create a more predictable environment that restores investor confidence.
He stressed that the success of the reforms must translate into tangible benefits for citizens, stating that, “When we say the economy is improving, it must mean something to households and businesses; macro gains must translate into micro outcomes.”
Also speaking, the National President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, mni, OON, commended RMAFC for convening the dialogue, describing the new tax law as a major milestone in strengthening revenue mobilisation and fiscal sustainability.
Ibrahim said a modern, predictable and business-friendly tax system is essential for investment, job creation and economic growth, assuring that NACCIMA remains committed to constructive engagement with government institutions to support tax reforms, digitalisation and improved compliance.
He expressed confidence that deliberations at the forum would contribute to a more resilient fiscal framework, improved revenue efficiency and sustainable national development.
In his Welcome Address, the Chairman, Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee, RMAFC, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, described the discourse as a defining moment in Nigeria’s fiscal journey.
The two-day discourse features technical presentations, panel discussions and interactive sessions involving key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, with a focus on translating the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 into measurable fiscal outcomes.



















