The Federal Government has announced that income earned by Nigerians through remote jobs, social media influencing, or import-related businesses will become taxable under the new tax reforms scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this during a tax education session hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos.
In a video that went viral on social media, Oyedele explained that Nigerians working remotely for foreign companies are legally required to declare their earnings and pay tax in Nigeria.
> “If you are a remote worker, you are a worker. The fact that you work for a company abroad doesn’t exempt you. The salary you earn must be self-declared. If your employer were in Nigeria, they would deduct and remit your tax. Since they are not here, the obligation falls on you,” he said.
He warned that those who fail to declare their income would be tracked and penalised.
> “If you refuse to declare, the government will trace the inflow of money, classify it as income, charge you tax on it, and add penalties and interest for delayed payment,” he added.
Oyedele noted that the same rule applies to social media influencers who generate income online.
> “You earn income as an influencer; you pay tax as well,” he said.
On concerns raised by importers, Oyedele explained that available tax reliefs would depend on the sector of business involved—whether trade, manufacturing, or other activities.
Addressing fears of overlapping taxes, he said the new law clearly defines the jurisdiction of federal, state, and local governments.
> “The law now specifies who collects what. The National Revenue Service will handle certain taxes, states have theirs, and local governments have theirs. For individuals, it’s just personal income tax. For small businesses, we’ve removed most taxes. Large businesses should have accountants for guidance,” he explained.
He stressed that gifts or upkeep money are not taxable, but payments for services or products attract tax obligations.
Oyedele described the new tax framework as the most transformative in Nigeria’s history, aimed at simplifying compliance, eliminating multiple taxation, and boosting government revenue.
