The Federal Government has said that low-income Nigerians stand to gain the most from the new tax reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

The Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Mr. Zacchaeus Adedeji, made this known during an interview on ARISE Television on Sunday, explaining that the reforms were carefully designed to ease the financial burden on poor Nigerians rather than impose additional taxes.

 

Adedeji dismissed claims that the government was increasing taxation, stressing that extensive exemptions built into the new tax framework have shielded a vast majority of low-income earners from any additional financial pressure.

 

According to him, more than 95 per cent of Nigerians classified as poor are completely exempted from the new tax measures, noting that the reforms were deliberately structured to promote fairness and inclusiveness.

 

He highlighted the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential food items as one of the most significant relief measures, explaining that food accounts for about 90 per cent of disposable income for low-income households.

 

The NRS chairman added that transportation costs, another major expense for vulnerable Nigerians, were also considered in the reform process, further reducing the financial strain on the poor.

 

“When you look at the overall structure and net impact of these reforms, it is clear that low-income Nigerians are the biggest beneficiaries,” Adedeji said.

 

He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that tax policies support economic growth while protecting the most vulnerable segments of society.