Taiwo Oyedele Says He Faces Death Threats Over Nigeria’s Sweeping Tax Reforms

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has disclosed that he has received threats to his life due to his involvement in implementing Nigeria’s sweeping tax reforms.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a governance colloquium celebrating the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala-Usman, Oyedele said pushing reforms that challenge entrenched interests requires courage in a system historically resistant to change.

“Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats simply for trying to fix a broken system,” he said.

He identified weak public trust in government, low tax compliance, and misunderstandings about fiscal policies as major obstacles. Oyedele explained that Nigeria’s tax revenue remains far below that of peer countries, making comprehensive reforms necessary.

Oyedele urged supporters of the reforms to speak out, warning that silence allows opponents to control the narrative. He noted that many Nigerians mistakenly believe the reforms introduce new taxes, when in fact they reduce and harmonise existing levies.

“Implementing these reforms carries significant political, economic, and reputational risks. You need courage to push through,” he added, likening the changes to a surgical fix rather than previous short-term solutions.

Despite facing online abuse and personal threats, Oyedele defended the reform strategy, emphasizing it as essential for long-term fiscal stability. “What we have been doing all my adult life with the tax system was a pain reliever. Now we’re doing the surgery. It will come with pain, but it is the only right thing to do,” he said.

He concluded by expressing optimism about the country’s progress, describing the current reform momentum as unprecedented and urging Nigerians to remain committed to achieving sustainable fiscal growth.