VAT on food, education, healthcare removed – FG
VAT on food, education, healthcare removed – FG
… relief for Nigerian families expected.
The newly enacted tax reform laws in Nigeria will officially take effect on January 1, 2026, according to the Executive Chairman of the National Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji.
The delayed implementation is intended to give the government and stakeholders ample time to prepare, educate the public, and align with Nigeria’s fiscal calendar.
Speaking at the State House after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the tax laws into effect, Adedeji emphasized that the six-month transition period aligns with international best practices and is aimed at avoiding mid-year disruptions.
In addition to income and business tax relief, the reforms eliminate VAT from essential sectors such as food, healthcare, and education. Oyedele further revealed that VAT exemptions have been expanded to include housing, transportation, and accommodation—areas that make up the largest share of household spending in Nigeria.
“These categories account for over 80 percent of household expenses. The removal of VAT in these areas represents a significant financial relief for Nigerian families,” he said.
“This kind of change is best implemented at the start of a new year to maintain fiscal coherence,” he explained. “The time between now and January 1 will be used for sensitization, system upgrades, and institutional planning.”
The reforms, which are part of a broader fiscal restructuring initiative, were crafted to be inclusive and beneficial to lower-income groups. Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, described the laws as “pro-poor,” emphasizing that they will significantly reduce the tax burden on the most vulnerable segments of the population.
Oyedele noted that over one-third of workers in the public and private sectors will now be exempt from paying personal income tax (PAYE), and that more than 90 percent of micro, small, and nano businesses will no longer be liable for corporate income tax, value-added tax (VAT), withholding tax, or employee-related PAYE.
“These reforms are designed to put more money in the hands of ordinary Nigerians, enabling them to better manage their daily needs,” he stated.
In addition to income and business tax relief, the reforms eliminate VAT from essential sectors such as food, healthcare, and education. Oyedele further revealed that VAT exemptions have been expanded to include housing, transportation, and accommodation—areas that make up the largest share of household spending in Nigeria.
“These categories account for over 80 percent of household expenses. The removal of VAT in these areas represents a significant financial relief for Nigerian families,” he said.
The new laws are also expected to modernize Nigeria’s tax administration system by enhancing efficiency, ensuring greater transparency, and fostering public trust in the management of tax revenues. Provisions have been included to improve tax collection and reporting, with a focus on ensuring that collected funds are used transparently for public benefit.
President Tinubu signed four key tax-related bills into law: the Nigeria Tax Reform Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. In his remarks, the president hailed the enactment as a transformative milestone for the nation’s economy, calling it “a new dawn for Nigeria.”
