ASABA/Nigeria: A university scholar, Dr. Ochuko Emudainohwo, has described Nigeria’s 2025 tax law as a strategic economic blueprint capable of driving inclusive growth and repositioning the country for a more diversified and resilient future. He urged businesses, policymakers and citizens to embrace the reform and contribute to a more accountable and sustainable fiscal environment.
Dr. Emudainohwo, FCA, an Associate Professor of Accounting at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, made the assertion while delivering a keynote presentation at the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) 2025 Annual Lecture in Asaba, themed “Nigeria’s New Tax Law: Implications and Opportunities for Businesses and Society.”
He explained that taxation remains one of the most powerful tools for national development and stressed the importance of understanding the context in which the new tax law emerged. According to him, Nigeria’s dwindling oil revenues, rapid population growth, and the lingering economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the nation’s fiscal structure and compelled the federal government to rethink its revenue strategy.
Dr. Emudainohwo said the 2025 tax reform seeks to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on oil by creating a more sustainable and inclusive framework for revenue generation. Central to the new law, he noted, is the consolidation of income and company taxes into a single tax net to streamline compliance and eliminate administrative bottlenecks.
Describing the legislation as “pro-people,” the academic stated that it was designed not only to increase government revenue but also to stimulate growth across key sectors. One of the most impactful provisions, he said, is the exemption granted to Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs). “Companies with an annual turnover of less than N50 million are now exempted from capital-based taxes and company income taxes,” he noted, adding that the measure would ease the burden on small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and foster innovation.
He further emphasized the law’s commitment to transparency and modernization. By strengthening digital tax systems, he said, the legislation promotes accountability, enhances efficiency, and reduces leakages within Nigeria’s revenue collection process.
Dr. Emudainohwo concluded by calling on all stakeholders to support the reform, stressing that collective commitment is essential to building a more productive and equitable economic future for the country.
