Dr. Zacchaeus Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), formerly the Federal Inland Revenue Service has strongly defended the country's newly implemented tax reforms, asserting that low-income earners and the poor stand to gain the most from the changes.

In a television interview on Sunday, Adedeji emphasized that the reforms, which took effect on January 1, 2026, include extensive exemptions benefiting over 95% of low-income Nigerians.

"The poor are the main beneficiaries of the new tax reforms," he stated, adding that the government is focused on taxing income, returns, profits, and consumption rather than expanding into intrusive measures.

Adedeji directly addressed circulating rumors about increased government scrutiny of personal finances.

"No tax official will pry into your bank account to see who you transferred money to," he said.

According to him, "Narratives about bank transfers are misinformation; there is nothing of the sort."

He reiterated that the reforms prioritize fairness, voluntary compliance, and relief for vulnerable groups, while dismissing claims of direct deductions or narration-based charges on transactions as false and potentially destabilizing.

The tax overhaul stems from four laws signed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025: the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.

Key pro-poor provisions include:

Full exemption from Personal Income Tax for individuals earning ₦800,000 or less annually (covering minimum wage earners).

Progressive taxation shifting more burden to higher earners.

Elimination of numerous "nuisance taxes" that disproportionately affected small businesses and low-income households.

Expanded reliefs, such as increased tax-free compensation for job loss or injury (from ₦10 million to ₦50 million) and incentives for agriculture and small enterprises.

Proponents, including the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms chaired by Taiwo Oyedele, argue the changes will harmonize levies, reduce multiple taxation, boost revenue without borrowing dependency, and stimulate economic growth.

Oyedele has described the system as progressive: "The poor should not pay tax, the middle class pays little, and those with substantial income contribute more."

However, the rollout has not been without controversy. Some opposition figures and regional lawmakers previously raised concerns over alleged alterations to the bills and potential inequities in revenue distribution.

Recent rumors of planned protests and calls for suspension have been linked by officials to misinformation or political motives.

President Tinubu, in his New Year's address, reaffirmed commitment to the reforms, calling them essential for a "fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation."

As the NRS transitions fully into its new role, Adedeji urged Nigerians to seek accurate information and warned security agencies to monitor against disruptions fueled by falsehoods.

Analysts note that successful implementation could significantly raise Nigeria's tax-to-GDP ratio while providing tangible relief to millions in a challenging economic environment.

The government has pledged ongoing sensitization and dialogue to address genuine concerns as the reforms unfold.