The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that ongoing fiscal and tax reforms will favour women, youth and informal workers, aiming to strengthen inclusion and equity in the tax system, the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, said in Abuja.
Oyedele delivered the assurance while giving a keynote address at the Policy Innovation Centre launch of the 2025 Purple Book Fourth edition in Abuja.
The event was themed “Who Pays, Who Gains? Centering Women, Youth and Informal Workers in Nigeria’s 2026 Tax Reform.”
The reforms form part of a broader overhaul of Nigeria’s tax framework under recently enacted laws, including the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act, which aim to modernise the tax system and broaden revenue mobilisation.
Oyedele, represented at the launch by Albert Folorunsho, a member of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, said the reforms are designed to simplify compliance and promote fairness in the tax system.
He said the reforms account for the large share of Nigeria’s workforce in the informal sector, noting that they are structured to simplify compliance, eliminate multiple taxation and protect vulnerable households through targeted value‑added tax exemptions on essential goods.
The minister said:
“These reforms represent far more than legislative changes. They represent a structural shift in how Nigeria mobilises revenue, promotes economic inclusion, and strengthens the social contract between government and citizens.”
Officials from civil society and development organisations at the launch emphasised that inclusive tax policy should reflect the economic realities of different demographic groups, including women and youth.
Participants at the event highlighted the need for a tax system that supports equitable participation in the economy and reduces the burden on small businesses and households.
The reforms include provisions to modernise Nigeria’s tax laws and align the framework with inclusive economic goals that consider the diverse needs of citizens.
