A senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Mr. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has expressed concern over widespread confusion among Nigerians regarding the new tax laws, attributing it to poor understanding and misrepresentation.
Oyintiloye, a former legislator, spoke to journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, urging a comprehensive public enlightenment campaign to clarify the provisions of the tax law.
He noted that the lack of clear understanding has fueled misconceptions and suspicion about the government’s intentions. “Many Nigerians, including educated citizens, are uncertain about when and how their income will be taxed,” Oyintiloye said.
The APC chieftain also highlighted that inconsistencies between the version of the bill passed by the National Assembly and the official gazette have added to public confusion. Despite this, he insisted that the government’s objectives, especially concerning low-income earners, remain sound.
“Social media is filled with conflicting explanations of the law, and misinformation is spreading faster than accurate information about the law’s benefits,” he explained. “At this point, many Nigerians are unsure what to believe about the tax reform.”
Oyintiloye attributed the confusion to slow sensitisation efforts and limited engagement with the public prior to the law’s implementation. He called on relevant agencies to intensify awareness campaigns to ensure citizens understand the law’s true purpose.
“I urge the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Federal Ministry of Information, and other responsible bodies to step up efforts in educating the public on the tax reform law. This will help people, particularly low-income earners, appreciate the government’s intentions and reduce the spread of misinformation,” he added.
He also commended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, noting that they are already yielding positive results. Oyintiloye stressed the importance of effectively communicating these achievements to Nigerians to strengthen public confidence.
