Taiwo Oyedele Says He Faces Death Threats Over Nigeria’s Tax Reforms

Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has revealed that he has received death threats because of his role in implementing Nigeria’s major tax reforms.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja during a governance colloquium celebrating the 50th birthday of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, Hajiya Hadiza Bala-Usman, Oyedele said carrying out reforms that challenge entrenched interests requires exceptional courage in a system long resistant to change.

“Reforms are hard, and tax reforms are even harder. You need courage. I receive threats, including death threats, simply for trying to fix a broken system,” he said.

He identified low public trust, weak tax compliance, and widespread misunderstandings of fiscal policies as key obstacles. Oyedele explained that Nigeria’s tax revenue lags far behind peer countries, making comprehensive reforms unavoidable.

Urging supporters to speak out, he warned that silence allows opponents to dominate the public narrative. He clarified that the reforms are aimed at reducing and harmonising existing levies, not introducing new taxes.

“Implementing these reforms carries significant political, economic, and reputational risks. You need courage to push through,” Oyedele said, describing the changes as a necessary surgical intervention rather than the temporary fixes of the past.

Despite facing online abuse and threats to his life, Oyedele defended the reforms, emphasizing that they are critical for long-term fiscal stability. “What we have been doing all my adult life with the tax system was a pain reliever. Now we’re doing the surgery. It will come with pain, but it is the only right thing to do,” he said.

He concluded by expressing optimism about the country’s fiscal future, describing the current reform momentum as unprecedented and urging Nigerians to remain committed to achieving sustainable economic growth.