The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has supported the implementation of tax laws, billed to start on January 1, 2026.
The Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association, Wale Smatt-Oyerinde, who gave the support at a media parley in Lagos, commended the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms for doing a lot to constructively engage with all the stakeholders.
He implored the Nigeria Revenue Service to step up to its responsibility by working with the organised private sector to deepen awareness on the tax laws.
Expressing satisfaction with the level of engagement associated with the tax reforms, he said the legislation remains a significant item that has witnessed the most excellent form of organised chaos in Nigeria’s political history.
He urged the Federal Government to proceed with the implementation of the laws, as the issue of alteration raised by the National Assembly was not sufficient to halt it, considering its economic objectives.
He added:“We cannot continue to run the system the way it was run with a lot of inconsistencies. No law is perfect, and that’s why we have made provisions for amendments. As we proceed, we can make necessary amendments, and by doing so, we are building an institution.”
He explained that the tax laws were aimed at creating a more conducive and productive business environment for the private sector, thereby generating jobs that would address the root cause of insecurity in Nigeria.
He noted that the stiff resistance faced by the reforms alone is an indication that some forces were against the growth of the Nigerian economy.
“I have never seen a regulation or legislation that witnessed this kind of engagement or antagonism. I also probably have not seen an item in our lives that has witnessed this kind of organized chaos. However, the committee has done tremendous work, moving from one place to another. We all saw the issues, until two weeks ago, when it was alleged that the version gazetted was different from the one passed by the National Assembly. And one of the things we want to say is that, for every human endeavor, once you have human beings to superintend the process, no matter how beautiful it is, there will always be an effort to sabotage it,” he said.
He spoke on the recent ban on sachet drinks by NAFDAC, noting that a blanket ban was not the solution to the problem, as this would likely create another opportunity for smugglers, especially with Nigeria having more than 1,000 unmanned entry and exit.
Banning sachet drinks, he said, poses a serious threat to the Nigerian economy as this action would lead to loss of jobs and investments.
He urged the government to engage more with all stakeholders, business owners, and consumers to arrive at solutions that would be a win-win for all.
Acknowledging that the economic reforms undertaken by the present administration had brought macroeconomic stability to the country in 2025, he expressed optimism that these gains would start translating into a more favorable microeconomic environment for Nigerians to benefit in 2026.
Commenting on the relationship between NECA and organised Labour, he explained that it remains cordial, noting that both parties would continue to deepen engagement to close the gap in areas where there are wide disparities.
“We will consolidate on the foundation of fiscal industrialization that already existed, and continue to engage the government in the context of an environment that will make this country much more profitable, not only for those in government, but also for Nigerians,” he said.
