Tinubu’s Tax Policy Value Of Progressive Government, Says Oshiomhole

The senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, says President Bola Tinubu’s new tax policy is consistent with the principles of a progressive government.

He said this while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today revealing that he was among the lawmakers who supported the tax bill that eventually became law.

“The facts on the ground show that President Tinubu’s tax policy is consistent with the values of a progressive government

“And this is a progressive tax policy that places a higher burden on those who earn more while offering tax exemptions to those who earn less,” he said.

THE WHISTLER reports that despite criticisms, President Bola Tinubu had, in December 2025, reaffirmed that the new tax laws would take effect from January 1, 2026.

He explained that the tax laws were not intended to raise taxes arbitrarily, but to support a structural reset, promote harmonisation, protect citizens’ dignity, and strengthen the social contract.

Speaking, Oshiomole said he fully supports the new tax policy, noting that no government can function without taxes.

“It is only in Nigeria that people talk about the government using money or claim that the government earns money on its own. Governments do not earn money.

“Citizens earn income, and the government taxes those earnings whether individual or corporate.

“The sum of these taxes determines the annual revenue of the state,” he explained.

“There is no worker who is a member of the Nigeria Labour Congress earning N1m a month, which totals N12m a year.

“So, for salary earners, this tax policy is progressive,” he said, explaining that working families will benefit under the new tax regime.

On Value Added Tax (VAT), Oshiomole noted that the average Nigerian worker need not worry, as VAT primarily affects luxury purchases but also criticized Nigerians who pay VAT abroad.

“Everywhere in the world, when you buy non-food items, you pay VAT. Nigerians pay VAT in America, London, Dubai, yet they resist paying VAT here in Nigeria,” Oshiomhole said.

He urged all Nigerians to support the implementation of the new tax policy as it is for the betterment of the country.