A recent post on social media has highlighted the tension and confusion among Nigerians regarding the impending enforcement of new tax regulations. The incident involves a banker who received a strongly-worded, threatening message from a customer concerning potential deductions from his account.
Viral Screenshot Shows Customer's Stern Warning
The situation came to light when a TikTok user with the handle @.ikenja, identified as a banker, shared a screenshot of a direct message from a customer. The exchange, posted on December 18, 2025, quickly captured the attention of netizens across platforms.
In the message, the customer directly addresses the banker, Mr. Ikenga, referencing the new tax laws slated for enforcement in January. The customer's text leaves little room for misunderstanding, issuing a clear warning against any unauthorized deductions from his account.
The Content of the Threatening Message
The customer's message, shared in the viral post, reads: "Good evening Mr Ikenga. I hope this new I'm hearing about this tax won't affect my account. If I find one naira from my account eh, your name go be sorry. No even try near estate gate that whole week. Thank you."
The banker captioned the post with a note of exasperation, writing: "Sometimes you have to read that customer's text and go about your day. Which kind wahala be this one again?" This caption resonated with many professionals in customer-facing roles within the financial sector.
Public Reaction to the Tax Law Tensions
The post sparked a flood of reactions from TikTok users, many of whom shared similar frustrations or humorous takes on the situation. The comments section became a forum for discussing personal experiences with bank charges and the broader anxiety surrounding the new tax laws.
User @ayubatamar commented, "na so I do Dominic for access bank , na him force me open account, they start dea cut maintenance fee." Another user, @cuebenefit, expressed ongoing stress, stating, "I never rest from this Tax wahala since dem drop the news."
Other notable reactions included:
- @heissamiey: "he don warn you like that , you go think say Na play"
- @Wamene_: "The calls and explaining …I don’t know what to explain again"
- @Olufunke Adunni: "Na you be federal government?"
- @Better_in_Data: "I support your customer no sha near Estate gate"
The threat to avoid the "estate gate" became a recurring joke, with user @Arubasa Victory adding, "No just near the estate next year."
Broader Implications and Context
This viral moment underscores a significant public concern regarding financial policy changes in Nigeria. The customer's message, while extreme, reflects a widespread sentiment of distrust and a desire for clear communication from financial institutions about how new government policies will affect personal finances.
The incident shows that frontline bank staff often bear the brunt of customer frustration over policies beyond their control. It also highlights the critical need for effective public sensitization campaigns by both the government and banks to explain the specifics of the new tax regulations, their implementation timeline, and their impact on different account types.
As the January enforcement date approaches, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent dialogue between financial service providers, regulators, and the public to mitigate fear and prevent misunderstandings that can escalate into conflict.
