A former lawmaker who represented Obokun State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has expressed concern over what he described as widespread misinformation surrounding Nigeria’s newly introduced tax laws, calling for urgent action to address public confusion and misconceptions.
Oyintiloye made the call in a statement obtained in Osogbo on Sunday. The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain warned that the growing wave of misinformation was diverting public attention from the core objectives and perceived benefits of the tax reforms initiated by the Federal Government.
According to him, inaccurate narratives and rumours about the new tax laws are spreading faster than factual information, creating fear, suspicion and resistance among Nigerians. He noted that many citizens, regardless of educational background, remain unclear about the content, scope, and implications of the reforms.
“The misinformation about the tax law is spreading faster than the true intentions of the law and its benefits,” Oyintiloye said. “Till this moment, many Nigerians, both literate and illiterate, do not actually know what to believe about the tax law.”
He attributed the confusion largely to what he described as inadequate public engagement and slow-paced sensitisation efforts before and during the rollout of the new laws. Oyintiloye argued that the absence of sustained enlightenment campaigns had created room for misrepresentation of government policies, thereby fuelling public distrust.
The former legislator called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Federal Ministry of Information and other relevant government institutions to urgently step up awareness campaigns to properly educate Nigerians on the intent and provisions of the tax reforms.
“Lack of proper understanding of the new tax laws has led to misconceptions, misrepresentation and suspicion of the government’s intentions,” he said. “There is a need for massive and sustained enlightenment on the new law to curb the spread of misinformation.”
Oyintiloye stressed that effective communication was critical to help Nigerians, especially low-income earners, understand how the reforms affect them and what safeguards are in place to protect vulnerable groups.
“I want to implore the National Orientation Agency, the Federal Ministry of Information and other relevant agencies to rise to the occasion,” he added. “This will enable Nigerians to understand better the good intentions of the government, particularly towards low-income earners. Many people still do not know what the law entails or how it will apply to them.”
He further observed that several economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration had begun to yield positive results. Still, he lamented that the gains were not being effectively communicated to the public.
Oyintiloye noted that despite allegations of doctoring the bill and rumours of impending heavy taxes on citizens, the Federal Government has continued to implement the law amid reservations expressed in some quarters.
He concluded that without deliberate, transparent communication, well-intentioned policies risk being misunderstood, potentially undermining the public trust and cooperation necessary for successful economic reforms.
