Nigerian Cybersecurity Analyst Praises New Tax Laws After Salary Increase
A cybersecurity analyst in Nigeria has publicly celebrated the positive impact of the country's new tax laws on his personal finances. Mahmud Galadanci took to social media to express his satisfaction after noticing a significant increase in his monthly salary following the implementation of the tax reforms that took effect from January 1, 2026.
Tax Reduction Leads to Tangible Salary Boost
In a detailed Facebook post dated January 24, 2026, Galadanci revealed that his salary had increased by N3,500 thanks to the tax reduction implemented under the new legislation. He specifically thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the progressive tax policy that has resulted in this financial benefit for him personally.
"The new tax law is definitely better than the old one. My salary increased by N3,500 thanks to the tax reduction. Thank you, Mallam Tinubu," Galadanci wrote in his social media post that has since gained considerable attention online.
Previous Tax Burden and Comparative Analysis
Speaking about his previous tax obligations, Galadanci disclosed that he used to pay approximately N216,000 in taxes every month, which amounted to between N2.5 and N2.6 million annually. He explained that the new tax reform is designed with progressive principles in mind, where higher earners pay proportionally more while those with lower incomes benefit from reduced tax burdens.
"The point I want to make is my junior colleagues received an increase more than mine because the percentage has dropped," Galadanci noted. "So, now, my percentage has reduced. Those earning more than I will get less than what I get. Their tax will increase."
While he hasn't yet received his official tax alert for January 2026, Galadanci confirmed that he has already observed the reduction reflected in his net salary, demonstrating the immediate impact of the policy change.
Mixed Reactions from Nigerian Public
The announcement has generated diverse reactions from Nigerians across social media platforms:
- Ibrahim Suleiman Ibrahim reported a similar experience: "Mine too was increased by around 1800 or thereabouts. E shock me."
- Abdulkarim Musa offered a different perspective: "Bcos you are earning slightly above the minimum wage...That's the only explanation."
- Shamsuddeen Musa Ahmad expressed caution: "I hope you considered the implication of multiple negative effects of high tax on big companies, which would end up as a consequence to consumers..."
- Muhammad Aminu Aliyu questioned whether this was actually due to annual salary increments rather than tax reforms
- Yarima Sulaiman shared his own positive experience: "Exactly is better than before tax rate...before I was paying a tax of about 19.2% more than 300k as tax and now pays around 200k."
Background on Nigeria's 2026 Tax Reforms
The Federal Government of Nigeria implemented comprehensive new tax laws effective January 1, 2026, despite some public apprehension and protests. These reforms represent a significant overhaul of how individuals and businesses register, file, and pay taxes throughout the country.
Under the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025, which forms the foundation for these changes, taxpayers now face a strict 30-day deadline for responding to tax assessments. Once a tax authority issues an assessment, taxpayers must either pay the amount or formally object within this window, after which the bill becomes binding regardless of potential errors.
This regulatory framework is part of the government's broader revenue generation strategy, with targets set at approximately ₦17.85 trillion ($12.59 billion) in combined tax and customs collections for 2026. The progressive nature of the tax system, as highlighted by Galadanci's experience, aims to distribute the tax burden more equitably across different income levels while stimulating economic activity through increased disposable income for middle and lower-income earners.
The public sharing of personal financial benefits from these reforms provides tangible evidence of how policy changes can directly impact citizens' livelihoods, though the long-term effects and broader economic implications remain subjects of ongoing public debate and analysis.
