Nigeria’s Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, has moved to calm rising public anxiety surrounding the country’s newly implemented tax regime, firmly stating that the new tax laws do not authorise the government or any public institution to debit personal bank accounts.
Adedeji offered the clarification on Tuesday during a televised appearance on Journalists’ Hangout, a current affairs programme aired on TVC, as widespread misinformation continued to circulate on social media and messaging platforms regarding the scope and implications of the tax reforms that took effect in January 2026.
His intervention follows weeks of speculation, with some Nigerians expressing fears that routine bank transfers, account descriptions, or personal savings could be monitored or taxed directly under the new framework.
New Tax Laws Do Not Allow Access to Personal Bank Accounts
Addressing the issue directly, Adedeji stated unequivocally that neither existing tax statutes nor the new tax laws grant any authority the power to access, monitor, or debit personal bank accounts based on transaction activity or narration.
According to him, private transfers between individuals fall completely outside the purview of taxation and remain a personal matter between the parties involved.
“If you transfer money from your account to your brother, your friend, or any family member, that is a personal transaction,” Adedeji explained.
“It has absolutely nothing to do with the tax authority, whether at the state or federal level.”
He further stressed that there is no clause—explicit or implied—within Nigeria’s tax legislation that empowers any agency to instruct banks to deduct money from individual accounts without due process.
“There is no such provision in any tax law. Whether you add a description to a transaction or not, tax laws—both old and new—do not give anyone the right to enter your personal account and tax you or direct a bank to debit you,” he said.
Focus on Income, Not Personal Transfers
The NRS chairman clarified that the Nigerian tax system remains fundamentally income-based, with taxation applying strictly to verifiable sources of income rather than private fund movements between individuals.
He noted that tax authorities are not interested in transaction narrations in personal accounts and do not derive tax obligations from routine banking activity unrelated to declared income or business operations.
“Our interest is not in personal banking narratives. Personal transfers have nothing to do with taxation,” Adedeji reiterated, adding that the reforms were designed to improve efficiency and fairness, not to intrude into citizens’ private financial lives.
Relief for Lower-Income Earners
Beyond addressing concerns about bank account debits, Adedeji highlighted a key benefit of the new tax laws—reduced tax deductions for workers in the lower salary brackets.
According to him, one of the immediate effects of the reforms is a downward adjustment in the tax burden for low-income earners, which should become evident when January salaries are paid.
“By the time salaries are paid at the end of January, workers in the lower cadre will see a clear difference between what they paid under the old law and what applies under the new law,” he said.
He explained that the reforms were structured to improve equity within the tax system by easing pressure on vulnerable income groups while broadening compliance among higher earners and corporate entities.
Misinformation and Public Anxiety
Adedeji dismissed many of the circulating claims about the new tax laws as unfounded rumors, stressing that most of the fears being shared have no legal basis.
“You can see that today is already the 13th of January,” he said. “All those myths and alarming stories—none of them has materialised.”
He urged Nigerians to rely on verified information from official sources rather than social media speculation, warning that misinformation could undermine public trust in necessary fiscal reforms.
Calls to Suspend the Law Rejected
The NRS chairman also addressed calls by some political actors and civil society voices for the suspension of the new tax regime, firmly rejecting the idea.
According to him, suspending a duly enacted law contradicts democratic principles and constitutional governance.
“The suspension of law has no place in a democratic setting. Once a law is passed through the appropriate legislative process and assented to, it becomes law,” Adedeji said.
His remarks appear to be a direct response to comments by the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who recently called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the new tax laws, citing concerns about possible economic strain on Nigerians.
While acknowledging that public debate is healthy in a democracy, Adedeji maintained that policy engagement should focus on implementation, refinement, and public education—not halting laws already in force.
Government Assures Continued Engagement
Adedeji assured Nigerians that the revenue service would continue engaging stakeholders, including workers’ unions, professional bodies, and the private sector, to ensure clarity around the reforms and address legitimate concerns.
He emphasised that the ultimate objective of the new tax laws is to strengthen Nigeria’s revenue base in a fair and transparent manner while supporting economic stability and protecting ordinary citizens.
As implementation continues, authorities say public education and institutional accountability will remain central to preventing abuse and sustaining confidence in the tax system.
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