A Nigerian woman has ignited a public conversation after calling out vendors for what she describes as illegal and confusing Value Added Tax (VAT) charges on everyday purchases. In a viral video, she questioned the legitimacy of sellers directly collecting tax from customers without any official backing or clarity.
Shocking Examples of Alleged Overcharging
The lady provided concrete examples to illustrate the scale of the issue. She revealed that a customer who bought an item worth approximately ₦3 million was asked to pay an extra ₦250,000 to ₦300,000 as VAT. In another instance, a purchase of ₦2.7 million came with an additional tax demand of between ₦200,000 and ₦250,000.
She also shared her personal experience, stating that after buying an item valued at over ₦400,000, she was informed she would still be charged VAT. This was despite the fact that more than half of her payment was made in cash, adding to her confusion about the charge's validity.
A Call for Government Clarification and Action
Visibly upset in the video, the lady challenged the rationale behind such practices. She questioned whether this was the government's intention with its taxation policies, asking if Nigerians are now expected to pay tax on every single purchase while still being taxed in other numerous areas of their economic lives.
Her core demand is for the government to step in and provide clear guidance. She urgently called on the relevant authorities to address what she termed "unchecked and arbitrary tax collection by individuals" posing as vendors. The video was shared on the popular blog, Linda Ikeji's Instagram page, on January 5, 2026, amplifying her concerns to a national audience.
The Broader Implications for Consumers
This incident highlights a significant gap in consumer awareness and regulatory oversight regarding tax collection at the retail level. Key issues raised include:
- Lack of Transparency: Vendors are not explaining the legal basis for the VAT charges.
- Potential Exploitation: The arbitrary amounts suggest overcharging beyond any official rate.
- Double Taxation: The fear that citizens are being taxed multiple times on the same value chain.
The public outcry underscores the need for the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and consumer protection agencies to educate both businesses and the public on proper VAT remittance procedures to prevent exploitation.
