Tinubu’s Aide Reacts To Claim There Is New Tax Law That Requires 25% Of Earnings, Electricity Tariff

Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, has dismissed claims circulating on social media that Nigeria’s new tax laws require citizens to pay 25 per cent of their earnings to the government and that electricity tariffs will triple after the next election.

Olusegun addressed the allegations in a post on his official X account on Monday, October 19, 2026, describing the circulating messages as misleading and urging Nigerians to verify information about government policies before sharing it online.

The presidential aide’s response followed the spread of a message claiming that the government intended to impose a 25 per cent tax on Nigerians’ earnings but had decided to delay implementation until after the election. The message also warned of a possible threefold increase in electricity tariffs, generating concerns among social media users about the potential impact on household finances.

However, Olusegun maintained that the claims did not accurately represent the provisions of the new tax framework or the government’s existing electricity tariff policy.

Explaining the tax provisions, he said the new system adopts a progressive structure under which individuals with lower taxable incomes are exempt from paying income tax, while higher rates apply to those earning substantially more.

According to the presidential aide, the first ₦800,000 of taxable income is exempt from tax, while the 25 per cent rate applies to taxable income exceeding ₦50 million annually. He argued that presenting the policy as a blanket 25 per cent deduction from every Nigerian’s earnings misrepresents how the tax system operates.

“The new tax law is progressive. The first ₦800,000 of taxable income is tax-free, while the 25% rate applies to taxable income above ₦50 million annually. So, the claim that 25% of your earnings will go to tax is misleading,” Olusegun stated.

He explained that the distinction between the different income brackets was important in understanding the policy, particularly amid concerns that the new tax framework would impose the same financial burden on all workers and income earners regardless of their earnings.

Olusegun also rejected the suggestion that the implementation of the tax laws had been deliberately postponed until after the next election. He said the legislation became effective on January 1, 2026, dismissing the circulating message as inaccurate on that point.

“The tax laws also took effect on January 1, 2026. Nothing was postponed until after the election,” he said.

The presidential aide’s clarification comes as discussions about taxation, government revenue and the cost of living continue to attract public attention. The tax framework has generated interest among workers, business owners and other income earners seeking to understand how the provisions could affect their finances.

Beyond the tax controversy, Olusegun also addressed speculation about a possible increase in electricity charges following the election. He said no official announcement had confirmed that electricity tariffs would triple, urging Nigerians not to treat unverified predictions as established government policy.

In explaining the current tariff arrangements, he referred to the electricity subsidy changes introduced in 2024, which affected customers classified under Band A. He added that customers in Bands B, C, D and E had remained subject to the applicable tariff policy under which their rates were frozen.

“On electricity tariffs, the subsidy removal in 2024 affected Band A customers, while Bands B to E have remained frozen under the applicable policy. There is no official announcement confirming that tariffs will triple after the election,” Olusegun said.

Olusegun further cautioned Nigerians against forwarding alarming messages without first checking their authenticity. He noted that misleading information about government policies could create unnecessary anxiety, especially when the claims concern issues with direct consequences for citizens’ finances.

“It is important to verify information from official sources before sharing it. Not every message circulated on social media is factual, and spreading fear based on unverified claims helps nobody,” he wrote.

He encouraged Nigerians to consult credible and official sources when seeking clarification about tax obligations, electricity tariffs and other government policies rather than relying solely on messages circulated through social media.

Although Olusegun dismissed the specific claims circulating online, Nigerians should consult the relevant official tax legislation and electricity regulatory announcements to confirm the precise provisions and any subsequent policy changes.

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