A staggering 68.5 percent of Nigerians express total distrust in government handling of tax revenues, with only 27.5 percent viewing the 2025 Tax Reform Acts as beneficial, according to SBM Intelligence’s “Taxing Patience” survey across nine cities.
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The poll of 200 respondents underscores why the sweeping January tax overhaul—Nigeria’s biggest in decades—has ignited anxiety despite pledges of fairer burdens and fiscal health amid the nation’s sub-10 percent tax-to-GDP ratio.
“People avoided tax before because they felt government wouldn’t provide basic amenities,” lamented Lagos trader Okanlawon Hakeem. “You drill boreholes, fund transport, fix roads yourself—what’s the tax money for?”
SBM Intelligence flags infrastructure and security as compliance keys: 46 percent prioritise better roads and safety over enforcement alone, while business owners dread double taxation alongside union levies.
Lagos, Kano, and Onitsha demand steady power; Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Bauchi crave roads and security—universal proof taxpayers seek before opening wallets wider.
The Year Ahead 2026 outlook warns of protests mirroring Kenya’s 2024 tax rollback, especially as inflation eases but opulent convoys and budget padding fuel fury among traders, artisans, and informal hustlers.
Analysts caution that without lightning-quick service wins, ramped-up collections risk hardening defiance in a nation where tax trust hinges on tangible returns, not fiscal sermons.
