* Wale Edun,
Finance Minister.
The Pathfinder
Wednesday March 4, 2026
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The Federal Government on Tuesday formally banned the mounting of roadblocks for the collection of taxes and levies across the country.
The directive was announced at the signing ceremony of a new Presumptive Tax Framework held at the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), Olusegun Adesokan, disclosed that the new system explicitly prohibits tax officials from setting up roadblocks to collect levies — a practice long criticised by businesses and transport operators.
“It also bans the mounting of roadblocks for the collection of taxes,” he said.
Presumptive Tax Framework Introduced
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, explained that the framework forms part of the tax reform programme under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Edun, the presumptive tax regime is designed to simplify tax compliance for small and informal businesses, including traders, artisans and micro enterprises, many of whom operate outside the formal tax system.
He noted that the new system will rely on clear indicators such as business category and turnover levels, rather than complex accounting requirements.
“The objective of presumptive taxation is not to overburden small businesses, but to provide a fair, simple and predictable framework for tax compliance,” Edun said.
Expanding the Tax Base
The minister stated that the reform aims to widen Nigeria’s tax base without increasing existing tax rates.
“Our fiscal strategy is anchored on expanding the tax base rather than increasing tax rates. Inclusion drives sustainability,” he said.
Edun added that small and micro enterprises form the backbone of the Nigerian economy, and the new framework would reduce compliance costs while creating a structured pathway into the formal sector.
He further explained that the regulations would provide clarity for tax authorities nationwide and protect taxpayers from arbitrary assessments.
“These regulations provide clarity to tax authorities and protect taxpayers from arbitrary assessments. The system will be transparent, rules-based and nationally consistent,” he stated.
Revenue and Economic Growth
According to Edun, strengthening government revenue through a broader tax base will enhance the government’s capacity to fund infrastructure, security, social investment and economic growth.
The minister noted that the framework was developed in collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board to ensure coordination between federal and state tax administrations.
Also speaking at the event, Adesokan described the reform as a significant step toward making the tax system fairer and more supportive of economic growth.
“This revolution is another demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to taxing prosperity and not poverty,” he said.
The new policy is expected to affect tax administration practices across federal, state and local government levels.
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