Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend his Tax Reform Act scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, citing concerns about the current economic hardship facing Nigerians.
The group has demanded a review of the 2026 Tax Reform and called for greater emphasis on social welfare programs in housing, education, health, and economic infrastructure instead of what it termed “prebendalist contracts to feed the boys.”
The organization called for the implementation to be suspended until both the National Assembly committee and external auditors can verify the integrity of the legislation. They warned that if discrepancies are found, those responsible should be held accountable and punished.
A major security concern highlighted by Afenifere involves allegations that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) outsourced the development and administration of Nigeria’s tax system to foreign entities, which the group described as a threat to national security and data sovereignty. The organization warned that allowing foreign control over sensitive fiscal and personal data could expose Nigeria to economic exploitation.
President Tinubu signed four tax reform bills into law in June 2025: the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act. These reforms represent a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system and are set to take effect from January 1, 2026.
The reforms have generated mixed reactions, with supporters arguing they will reduce the tax burden on low-income earners (those earning below ₦800,000 annually will be exempt from personal income tax), while critics, including Afenifere and other opposition groups, contend that the timing is inappropriate given current economic challenges facing Nigerians.
