Tinubu’s Tax Chief, Oyedele, in Trouble Over Old Post

News in Brief: -An old comment by Taiwo Oyedele criticising a proposed bread tax has resurfaced, drawing backlash as he now leads Nigeria’s tax reform committee, introducing new income levies.

-Nigerians accuse him of hypocrisy, saying the new taxes will worsen poverty despite his earlier stance against taxing the poor.

A 2020 tweet by Taiwo Oyedele, now Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has resurfaced and landed the economics expert in controversy.

Commenting on a news report about the Kogi State Government’s intention to impose a levy on bread, Oyedele had described the initiative as “wrong.”

“This is just wrong, COVID or no COVID. No government can become rich by taxing poverty,” he wrote in the now-viral post.

The proposed “bread tax” at the time was shaped by a mix of revenue-generation efforts, protectionist motives, and economic tension between local and external bakers—all unfolding amid the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Oyedele, then serving as a World Bank adviser on tax-related matters, publicly condemned the policy.

A Contradiction in 2025?

Fast-forward to 2025, five years later, and Oyedele now leads Nigeria’s most ambitious tax reform agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

One of the key provisions of the new reform is the introduction of a personal income tax of up to 15% on individuals earning ₦800,000 and above annually (about ₦67,000 per month).

This has triggered a wave of backlash online. Many Nigerians have pointed out the contrast between Oyedele’s 2020 stance—when he opposed taxing the poor—and his current role in implementing tax policies that critics say will burden low-income earners.

Old Views vs. New Policies

Several of Oyedele’s older tweets have resurfaced, showing consistency in his earlier opposition to aggressive taxation. In one 2019 post, he warned that increasing the Value Added Tax (VAT) rate could “lead to higher unemployment and generally make people poorer.”

However, under his leadership, the current reforms are geared toward expanding Nigeria’s tax base and increasing government revenue—moves that many see as a shift from his previous beliefs.

Oyedele’s Defence

Oyedele has defended the reforms, insisting they are designed to promote fairness and protect low-income earners.

“It ensures fairness so that everyone who earns taxable income contributes their share while protecting low-income citizens who are not taxable,” he said.

Despite these assurances, public sentiment remains sceptical. Critics argue that individuals earning ₦70,000 monthly are barely surviving amid inflation and rising living costs.

Public Concerns About Affordability

To illustrate the point, consider that a modest meal for one adult can cost between ₦1,500 and ₦2,500. Eating twice a day for a month would exceed the monthly income of a person earning ₦70,000—now classified as “taxable” under the new regime.

This arithmetic fuels public frustration and raises concerns that the reforms, rather than providing “breathing space,” could tighten financial pressure on average Nigerians.

Conclusion

Taiwo Oyedele’s resurfaced tweets have reignited the debate about tax fairness and credibility in Nigeria’s fiscal system.

While his current role seeks to modernise and strengthen tax collection, the stark contrast between his past criticisms and present policies has made him a target of public scrutiny.

The larger question remains: Can Nigeria truly expand its tax base without deepening poverty?