The Federal Government has inaugurated 50 newly appointed Tax Appeal Commissioners, to reinforce its commitment to economic reforms and a fair tax system.
Th move is to enhance tax administration and revenue generation.
At the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance Auditorium in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, emphasized the crucial role of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT) in ensuring efficient tax dispute resolution, boosting investor confidence, and fostering a business-friendly environment.
The Director of Information and Public Relations, Muhammed Manga quoted the Minister to have stated,
“While tax avoidance remains legal, tax evasion must be curtailed to maintain trust in Nigeria’s tax system and fund national development,” Edun stated.

The Minister also pointed to improving economic indicators, such as stabilizing inflation, declining food prices, and rising oil production, as signs that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering results.

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, highlighted the tribunal’s role in balancing government revenue needs with protecting taxpayers’ rights, urging the commissioners to apply their expertise to strengthen the tax system.

In response, TAT Commissioner/Chairman Mr. Aderibigbe Adedeji assured the government of the commissioners’ commitment to delivering justice in tax matters, thanking President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve.

The inauguration, backed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Establishment Act 2007, marked another major step in Nigeria’s tax reforms, aimed at boosting revenue for critical sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

With this move, the FG is reinforcing the foundation for a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly tax system, essential for Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation.

The Federal Government has dismissed rumors suggesting an impending increase in Nigeria’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5% to 10%.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, clarified that no such proposal is being considered by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Director of Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga in a statement quoted Edun to have reiterated that the government remains committed to fiscal stability and is focusing on economic policies aimed at reducing inflation without imposing additional burdens on Nigerians.
He highlighted recent government initiatives, such as suspending import duties on essential goods, as part of President Tinubu’s efforts to ease the country’s economic challenges.

The Minister assured the public that any future tax reforms would be communicated transparently through official channels, stressing the importance of avoiding misinformation. The statement was released to address growing concerns over a potential VAT hike amid Nigeria’s current economic pressures.

The Federal Ministry of Finance reaffirmed its commitment to keeping citizens informed on all tax and economic policies, ensuring clear and accurate communication.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has rolled out the implementation of the Integrated Market Revenue Management System (IMRMS), a purpose-built digital platform, to capture the informal sector, especially market traders in the federal government’s tax net.

The FIRS is to collaboration with Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN), the umbrella body for all trading associations in Nigeria, to collect and remit Value Added Tax (VAT) from traders in marketplace, using the IMRMS platform.

The collaboration code named as the VAT Direct Initiative (VDI), is part of a deliberate move to expand the government’s tax base.

MATAN which is the largest player in Nigeria’s market space has a membership of over 40 million traders across the country.

Under the arrangement, MATAN is expected to digitally enumerate its members, give them a digital identity and track their turnover so that VAT accrued is collected and remitted to the FIRS.

Through this initiative, the FIRS will help tackle multiple taxation in the marketplace through partnership with security agencies to curb the activities of touts, miscreants and self-imposed tax collectors involved in illegal tax collection in Nigeria’s market spaces.

Speaking at an the official launch of traders enumeration exercise in Abuja, Mr Adebayo Adefeogbe, a director in the FIRS, said the initiative would grant the government coordinated access to almost 70 per cent untaxed revenue in the informal sector.

He said collecting VAT from over 40 million traders would enable the government to provide basic amenities in marketplaces across the country.

Moses Ige, MATAN National Coordinator of Incentives, urged market leaders who were present at the event, to sensitise members of various market associations to ensure that they are captured for the VAT Direct Initiative (VDI).

He listed the benefits of VAT Direct Initiative for registered traders to include health insurance, micro pension, general insurance cover, low-interest and non-collaterised business loans and grants, provision of  provision of social amenities in marketplaces and free legal services.

Ige said, “All the services, including health insurance scheme, enjoyed by those in the public sector will also be extended to those in the informal sector. Registered MATAN members will have access to free medical care.

“Registered traders will also enjoy insurance cover in case of any loss as a result of disasters, have access to loans, and enjoy micro-pension scheme. We are working with the National Pension Commission (PENCOM) to get our members registered for the contributory pension scheme.

“With the VAT Direct Initiative, the government will get more revenue to execute capital projects in markets across the country.

“We are also partnering with Bank of Industry (BOI) to ensure that every small business owners have access to loans.”