By our reporter 19.10.2026
There is a strong indication President Bola Tinubu will increase tax, and citizens will pay up to 25 percent of their earnings if he wins in the 2027 elections.
This warning was sounded by the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory Ireti Kingibe who was addressing her supporters ahead of the 2027 elections. She said a policy requiring citizens to pay 25 per cent of their earnings in tax has been passed by the National Assembly and will kick in if Tinubu remains President.
“They passed the policy, but fear won’t let them implement it until after the elections,” Senator Kingibe said.
“Nigerians are not aware that a tax law has been passed, which requires everyone to pay 25% of their earnings as tax. The National Assembly has already passed this law, and it will swing into action after the election,” Kingibe said
However, the specific legislation she referred to, including the provision allegedly requiring all Nigerians to pay 25 per cent of their earnings, would need to be identified and verified against the enacted tax laws before her claim could be treated as an established fact.
The new tax framework has already taken effect, however, and the claim that every Nigerian will pay 25 per cent of their earnings after the 2027 election does not reflect the published tax rates.
Under the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, which took effect on January 1, 2026, personal income tax is calculated using a progressive system.
The first N800,000 of taxable income is taxed at zero per cent, while the highest rate of 25 per cent applies to taxable income above N50 million.
Other income bands attract rates of 15, 18, 21 and 23 per cent.
This means the 25 per cent rate is not a flat tax imposed on every Nigerian’s earnings. The distinction is important as citizens seek clarity about their obligations under the new tax regime.
Ireti Kingibe...not of warning.