Speakers at the 2025 Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) Annual Lecture have dismissed widespread misconceptions that Nigeria’s new tax law was enacted to enrich the government, stressing that the reform is fundamentally designed to benefit citizens, businesses, and the overall economy.
During a panel discussion, accountant and tax consultant Victor Fegor Origho explained that the law introduces a balanced framework aimed at correcting long-standing inconsistencies in the nation’s tax system. He noted that while some Nigerians had been overtaxed for years, others remained underassessed due to systemic loopholes.
On fears of indiscriminate debits or punitive enforcement, he said, “This reform is not intended to punish Nigerians. It is designed to correct gaps and ensure everyone pays only what is due, no more, no less.”
Barr. Ikpesu Gideon Jade described the legislation as a modernized dispute-resolution mechanism that operates like a tax ombudsman.
He said that although penalties exist, organizations can avoid sanctions by maintaining proper records and complying with statutory requirements. “If you do your part, the law protects you,” he assured.
Another discussant, Martins Onyem Aghaobod, Esq., stressed the urgent need for extensive public sensitization before the law’s full implementation in January 2026.
He urged Nigerians to study the 203-section document to understand its goals, particularly the elimination of multiple taxation and the improvement of compliance culture.
Collectively, the experts noted that the new law empowers citizens by enhancing transparency and enabling Nigerians to better track how tax revenues are allocated to infrastructure and public services.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Ochuko Emudainohwo, Associate Professor of Accounting at Dennis Osadebay University, described the reform as a strategic blueprint for sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
He linked the new law to dwindling oil revenue, population pressures, and the lasting impact of COVID-19, arguing that Nigeria had reached a point where reforming its fiscal architecture was inevitable.
He highlighted the consolidation of income and company taxes into a single tax net, which he said would simplify administration and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks.
Describing the framework as “pro-people,” he pointed to exemptions for companies with annual turnover below N50 million, measures expected to ease the burden on SMEs, spur innovation, and stimulate enterprise development.
Dr. Emudainohwo added that the law strengthens digital tax platforms, curbs leakages, and enhances transparency, critical steps in rebuilding public trust.
Representing Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, Commissioner for Information Charles Aniagwu underscored the need for tax reforms to translate into tangible development.
The chairman of the occasion, Mr. Edward Obiefuna Martyns, urged the media to intensify scrutiny of government spending, while DOPF Chairman Mr. Emmanuel Ochonogor Enebeli stressed that taxation must be matched with effective service delivery, including better roads, safer communities, and transparent governance.
The 2025 DOPF Annual Lecture, themed “Nigeria’s New Tax Law: Implications and Opportunities for Businesses and Society,” drew a diverse audience and offered in-depth analysis of how the new legislation will shape economic behaviour, governance, and public expectations as the country enters a new era of tax reform.
