The President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Emeka Obegolu, has publicly called for increased dialogue between the Federal Government and business stakeholders concerning the new tax reform laws scheduled to commence next year.
Call for Collaborative Implementation
Speaking at the Abuja Business Tax Townhall meeting on Tuesday, 26 November 2025, Obegolu praised the government's initiative to modernize the nation's tax system. He emphasized that the reforms aim to harmonize taxation, eliminate multiple taxations, and create a more transparent and business-friendly revenue administration.
"For the private sector, this presents an important opportunity, but also the need for clarity and preparedness," Obegolu stated in his opening address. He stressed that the success of these reforms hinges not just on sound policy design but on effective implementation, strong coordination, and, crucially, continuous engagement with those affected.
Bridging the Understanding Gap
Despite government sensitization efforts, Obegolu revealed that feedback from the Abuja business community—including MSMEs, multinational corporations, start-ups, and professional service firms—indicates a significant gap in understanding the practical implications of the new laws.
He reaffirmed ACCI's commitment to supporting the government through constructive policy dialogue and technical engagement. "We applaud the bold tax reforms of the current administration and urge consistency, transparency, and political will in seeing them through," he added, noting that well-executed reforms would strengthen Nigeria's fiscal foundation, attract investment, and spur sustainable economic growth.
Objectives of the Tax Townhall
Earlier, the Director-General of ACCI, Agabaidu Jideani, explained that the town hall was organized through the chamber's National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC). The goal was to create a structured platform for meaningful dialogue between policymakers, regulators, and private sector leaders.
Jideani outlined the meeting's key objectives:
- Increase awareness and understanding of the new fiscal and tax reforms effective in 2026.
- Facilitate constructive dialogue between government agencies and private sector stakeholders.
- Identify implementation challenges and develop actionable recommendations.
- Promote transparency, accountability, and inclusiveness in Nigeria's tax administration.
In a presentation at the event, a deputy director at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Kehinde Kajesomo, detailed key provisions of the new laws. He announced tax exemptions for charities, religious institutions, government agencies, pension funds, low-income earners, and priority sectors like agriculture and renewable energy.
He also highlighted available tax credits for research and development, angel investors, export-oriented companies, and strategic investments. Furthermore, VAT exemptions will cover essential items such as education, agricultural products, humanitarian supplies, electric vehicles, and exports.
