Senator Adams Oshiomhole, representing Edo North, has publicly defended the Federal Government’s controversial tax reforms, insisting that tax compliance must be strictly enforced and that tax evasion should attract penalties including possible jail terms. His comments have added fuel to ongoing national debates about Nigeria’s tax policy and how the country will implement its new fiscal regime in 2026. 

Oshiomhole spoke during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he described the newly enacted tax laws as progressive and aligned with the principles of a government that aims to protect low-income earners while placing a greater burden on higher-income individuals. He argued that the tax laws are not arbitrary levies but essential lifelines for government revenue. 

In his remarks, the senator insisted that taxes must be paid by those liable to pay them and that the state must act decisively against evaders to ensure compliance. “Taxes must be paid by those who are supposed to pay it and must be ruthlessly collected,” Oshiomhole said. He added that failure to comply with tax laws should not be treated as a civil oversight but as a matter that could attract criminal sanctions if books are doctored or payments are willfully avoided. 

Oshiomhole also argued that resistance to taxation in Nigeria is rooted in misunderstanding and mistrust, noting that many citizens fail to grasp that governments rely on citizen-generated revenue rather than independent income. He said that taxes like Value Added Tax (VAT) primarily apply to luxury or non-essential goods and pointed out that Nigerians pay similar taxes abroad without complaint. 

The senator’s remarks come amid broader controversy sparked by President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms, which have taken effect from January 1, 2026, and include changes to VAT, new compliance measures, and the restructuring of tax administration. Oshiomhole described the policy as “progressive,” emphasising that it shifts the tax burden appropriately and offers exemptions for lower-income groups, while strengthening revenue mobilisation to support public services. 

His comments reflect a key argument of the government: that a robust tax system is critical for Nigeria’s development, especially as it seeks to reduce its dependence on volatile oil revenues and improve its fiscal stability. Enforcement, Oshiomhole said, must not be lax, and all those who evade taxes should be held to account if serious progress is to be made. 

Reactions to Oshiomhole’s position have been mixed online. Some Nigerians have supported his focus on compliance, saying enforcement is essential to stop revenue leakage and promote fairness in the system. Others have raised concerns that aggressive enforcement language could alienate taxpayers, especially ordinary citizens still grappling with economic pressures and limited understanding of the new tax regime.

Critics also argue that enforcement must be paired with greater transparency in how tax revenues are used, and better public communication about exemptions and obligations so that citizens do not feel unfairly targeted. Discussions have ranged from calls for improved tax education to demands for stronger accountability in government spending.