As the clock ticks down to January 1, 2026, a day President Bola Ahmed Tinubu planned to enforce 5% tax hikes petroleum products, Nigeria’s Gen Z population is gearing up to take to the streets in protest against the government’s multiple taxation policies, which they claim have further impoverished the masses since President Bola Tinubu’s regime took office in 2023.
The planned protest is a response to the growing discontent among Nigerians, particularly the youth, who feel the pinch of multiple taxations imposed by various tiers of government. According to a report by SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based geopolitical risk analysis firm, Nigerian businesses are confronted with multiple layers of tax collectors backed by government agencies, leading to arbitrary and violent tax collections.
The Protest’s Demands
The protesters are expected to demand relief from the multiple tax burden, which they claim is stifling economic growth and pushing many Nigerians further into multidimensional poverty. They argue that the current tax system is unfair and lacks transparency, with different tax authorities imposing levies without proper legal backing.
Government’s Response
The Federal Government has attempted to dispel notions of multiple taxation, but the report disputes this claim, citing instances of businesses and individuals paying multiple taxes to different groups. The government has also introduced new tax reforms aimed at simplifying the tax system and reducing the burden on low-income earners and small businesses.
The New Tax Regime
The new tax regime, which takes effect on January 1, 2026, aims to exempt individuals earning N100,000 or less per month from personal income tax and reduce corporate tax rates for small businesses. However, critics argue that the reforms do not address the root causes of multiple taxation and may further exacerbate the problem.
A Nationwide Concern
The planned protest highlights the growing concerns about multiple taxation in Nigeria, with various groups, including haulage truck drivers, having previously protested against additional tax burdens. The issue has become a rallying cry for many Nigerians who feel that the government is not doing enough to alleviate their economic woes.
A group with #EndoppressiveRegimeNow hasstag mailed _Standard Daily Press_ Texas office in the United States, stating a growing concerns about the traumatizing plight of Nigerian citizens who are intent on rescuing African most populous nation.
Salisu Ibrahim, based in Kano, North West geopolitical zone of the country who signed the letter on behalf the group gives a combined estimate of the Nigeria’s Gen Zs population between 18 and 45 to be around 90 million people, misgoverned by less than 1.7% corrupt political elites, which is roughly 4.04 million people.
“The bravery of Kenya Gen Zs that forced the reversal of obnoxious tax laws of President William Ruto and Nepalese Gen Zs who routed corrupt and clitomiac regime have strengthened and emboldened our resolve to force President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime to govern in accordance to the nation’s Constitution that guarantees the safety and well-being of the citizens.
“If the government fails the retract its opposition to good counsel and remain adamantly sticks to their antics of propaganda and go ahead with the exploitative tax hikes petroleum products, we would have no option than to occupy Nigeria on January 1st, 2026,” Salisu Ibrahim said in his message.
As the January 1, 2026, protest approaches, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the growing discontent among Nigerians. One thing is certain, however: the issue of multiple taxation will continue to be a pressing concern for the government and citizens alike.
