Nigeria’s Joint Revenue Board (JRB) has moved to end the practice of using roadblocks to collect taxes across the country, a change introduced alongside the newly launched Presumptive Tax Regulations. The regulations were formally presented by Finance Minister and Economy Coordinating Minister Wale Edun.
JRB Executive Secretary Olusegun Adesokan described the new framework as a structured approach to revenue collection that minimizes disruption to business operations.
The rules establish clear tiers for informal sector businesses: those with annual turnover not exceeding ₦12 million are fully exempt from the tax, while other informal operators will be subject to a 1% levy on their turnover. The policy is intended to shield micro-enterprises, foster business development, and broaden the national tax base in an equitable manner.
At the official launch, Minister Edun emphasized that the framework is built around principles of transparency, fairness, and economic inclusion, describing it as a structured pathway through which small businesses can gradually formalize and contribute to long-term national economic growth.
He pointed to Nigeria’s GDP expansion of over 4% in the final quarter of 2025 as a positive sign, while reiterating the government’s ambition to push growth toward 7% in the near term — in line with President Tinubu’s broader target of reaching a $1 trillion economy before 2030.
Edun further explained that tax administration under this system will be harmonized across all three tiers of government, with oversight mechanisms in place — including the Ombudsman’s office — to monitor compliance and ensure the framework is applied consistently and fairly.
He characterized the initiative as fundamentally pro-growth, designed to stimulate employment, strengthen small and medium-sized enterprises, and attract investment both from within Nigeria and from the diaspora.
