Senator Ireti Kingibe of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate, has claimed that a law requiring every Nigerian to pay 25 per cent of their income as tax has been approved by the National Assembly. In a video circulating online, Kingibe warned that the policy would be implemented after the 2027 general election if the All Progressives Congress (APC) retains power.
Kingibe said many Nigerians were unaware of the alleged policy and suggested that its implementation had been delayed until after the elections. Her comments have drawn attention to the country’s tax reforms and concerns about how taxation could affect workers, business owners and households already facing economic pressures.
However, the claim that every Nigerian will pay 25 per cent of their income as tax does not reflect the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025. The law introduced a progressive personal income tax system, under which different portions of taxable income are taxed at different rates. The first ₦800,000 of taxable income is taxed at zero per cent, while the 25 per cent rate applies to taxable income above ₦50 million, subject to applicable rules and reliefs.
The new tax framework took effect on January 1, 2026, rather than waiting until after the 2027 elections. Therefore, the law does not establish a universal 25 per cent tax on every Nigerian’s earnings, as Kingibe’s statement suggests. Her remarks have nevertheless reignited debate over tax reforms, the cost of living and the need for public officials to clearly explain tax policies to citizens.
