TD ABUJA, FCT — Senator Ireti Kingibe has sparked renewed debate over Nigeria’s tax reforms after claiming that the National Assembly passed a law requiring every Nigerian to pay 25 per cent of their income in tax following the 2027 general election.
Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and is associated with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks in a video circulating online.
“You people are not aware, but we have signed a law that every Nigerian must pay 25% of their income as tax,” she said.
“National Assembly has approved it,” the senator added.
She claimee that implementation would follow the 2027 election if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins.
In the video, Kingibe addresses supporters at an outdoor gathering in the FCT.
She warned that the policy could increase financial pressure on Nigerians already facing economic difficulties.
However, the claim that every Nigerian will pay a flat 25 per cent of their income does not reflect the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
What the Tax Act Says
The Nigeria Tax Act 2025 took effect on January 1, 2026, according to the Federal Ministry of Finance and the published legislation.
The Act establishes a progressive personal income tax system, under which different portions of taxable income are taxed at different rates.
Under the Act’s Fourth Schedule, the first ₦800,000 of taxable income is taxed at zero per cent, while subsequent income bands attract rates of 15, 18, 21 and 23 per cent.
The highest rate of 25 per cent applies to taxable income above ₦50 million, after applicable reliefs and exemptions.
This seems to indicate that the 25 per cent rate is not a flat tax imposed on every Nigerian’s entire earnings.
The claim that the tax framework will only be implemented after the 2027 election has, meanwhile, been circulating online.
Sources claim that the implementation of the tax law was suspended pending the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
Kingibe’s comments, in the meantime, require clarification regarding the specific provision she was referring to and the basis for her assertion about post-election implementation.
Opposition Calls for Public Awareness
The post accompanying the video praises Kingibe for raising the tax issue.
It urges opposition parties to explain tax policies and electricity subsidy changes to voters in languages they understand.
It argues that the opposition should take its message to communities across the country and explain how government economic policies could affect household incomes and living costs.
However, the post’s central claim about a universal 25 per cent income tax is inconsistent with the published provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
The controversy highlights the importance of distinguishing political warnings.
Nigerians are urged to ascertain the actual provisions of legislation as Nigerians assess tax policy ahead of the 2027 elections.
