AWC Statehouse Desk
Old Tax System Impoverished Nigerians, New Reforms to Drive Prosperity – Tinubu
Abuja, Nigeria | April 14, 2026
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s previous tax regime constrained economic growth and contributed to widespread hardship, stressing that ongoing reforms are designed to unlock opportunities and create prosperity for citizens.
The President made this known while reviewing progress in fiscal reforms, noting that the new tax framework is not aimed at increasing the burden on Nigerians but at establishing a more efficient, inclusive, and transparent system.
He emphasized that the reforms focus on broadening the tax base, improving compliance, and strengthening governance structures to ensure fairness and accountability in revenue collection.
Providing insight into the impact of the reforms, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, disclosed that Nigeria’s revenue performance has significantly improved in recent years.
“Five years ago, total revenue collection stood at ₦6.8 trillion, but by 2025, it had risen to ₦28.7 trillion,” Adedeji revealed, attributing the growth to enhanced fiscal management and structural reforms.
He further noted that fiscal governance has been strengthened through improved remittance systems, increased transparency, and tighter control over public finance flows.
According to him, the financial position of the federation has also witnessed remarkable growth since the current administration assumed office in May 2023, with available funds rising from ₦711 billion to ₦3.6 trillion by September 2025—an increase of over 400 percent.
Adedeji highlighted the modernization of trade processes through the introduction of the National Single Window (NSW), launched on March 27 in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service. The initiative is expected to reduce inefficiencies in trade operations and boost revenue generation.
He noted that previous administrations had made several unsuccessful attempts to implement the system over a decade, but it was successfully deployed under the current leadership.
In a goodwill message, Guan Shuai, Managing Director of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, commended the administration’s economic reforms, describing them as bold and forward-looking.
Shuai stated that within a short period, the government has demonstrated visionary leadership by taking difficult but necessary decisions to reposition Nigeria’s economy and attract foreign direct investment.
He also noted that the administration’s infrastructure drive across states reflects improved resource allocation and fiscal capacity.
President Tinubu reiterated that the ongoing reforms are part of a broader strategy to build a resilient, transparent, and inclusive economy, assuring Nigerians that the benefits would translate into improved living standards and sustainable national growth.
