Daily Mentor News

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, has advised salary earners in the lower income bracket to closely examine their January 2026 paychecks, as the positive effects of the country's newly implemented tax reforms will become clearly visible.

Speaking during an appearance on TVC's Journalists Hangout program, Adedeji emphasized that the reforms—effective from January 1, 2026 are designed to ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians rather than increase it. He specifically highlighted that lower-cadre workers will experience reduced tax deductions under the new framework compared to the previous system.
Key points from Adedeji's statement include:

• “By the time the salary is being paid by the end of January, the salary earner in that lower cadre will confirm compared to what they’ve paid under the old law.”
• Essential items such as food and transportation—which make up a significant portion of disposable income for low earners—are now exempt from transactional taxes, helping to protect purchasing power.
• The changes aim to promote fairness, equity, and economic relief for vulnerable groups.

Adedeji also called on Nigerians to disregard widespread rumors and misinformation circulating about the new tax regime. He noted that as of mid-January 2026, many of the feared negative impacts (such as automatic deductions from bank accounts) have proven unfounded, describing them as "myths" that have not materialized.
The reforms are part of broader efforts to modernize Nigeria's tax system, simplify compliance, broaden the tax base sustainably, and provide targeted relief particularly for low-income individuals and small businesses while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
This assurance comes amid ongoing public discussions and some concerns about the implementation of the tax changes. However, Adedeji reiterated that the primary goal is to safeguard citizens' welfare and foster long-term economic growth without imposing undue hardship.
Income earners are encouraged to monitor their end-of-January salary slips to witness the intended benefits firsthand.