A University don, Dr. Ochuko Emudainohwo, has described the 2025 tax law as a strategic blueprint for inclusive economic growth, capable of repositioning Nigeria for a more diversified and resilient economic future.
Dr. Emudainohwo, FCA, an Associate Professor of Accounting at Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba, who was a Guest Speaker at the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) 2025 Lecture Series held in Asaba with the theme “Nigeria’s New Tax Law: Implications and Opportunities for Businesses and Society”, highlighted the rationale, structure, and benefits of the recently enacted tax law.
He called on stakeholders—businesses, policymakers, and citizens alike—to embrace the reform and contribute to a more accountable and sustainable fiscal environment for the overall development of the country.
The Guest Speaker noted that taxation remained one of the strongest instruments for national development, pointing out that to understand the essence of the new tax law, citizens must first appreciate the context in which it was introduced.
Dr. Emudainohwo outlined several key factors that necessitated the reform, including Nigeria’s declining oil revenue capacity, which had become increasingly insufficient to sustain national development; a rising population that continued to exert pressure on public services; and lingering economic shocks from the COVID-19 pandemic, which exposed the fragility of the nation’s revenue system.
These challenges, he stressed, compelled the Federal Government to rethink its fiscal strategy and pursue a more sustainable and inclusive approach to revenue generation.
At the heart of the 2025 tax law, he noted, was the objective of reducing Nigeria’s overdependence on oil revenue.
Dr. Emudainohwo explained that under the new framework income taxes and company taxes had been consolidated into a single tax net, streamlining compliance and reducing administrative bottlenecks.
He described the reform as “pro-people”, emphasizing that it was designed not only to boost government revenue but also to stimulate economic growth across various sectors.
“The law supports 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 stated.
This exemption, he argued, would ease the burden on small businesses, encourage entrepreneurship, and promote innovation.
Dr. Emudainohwo further highlighted the law’s emphasis on transparency and modernization. “By strengthening digital tax platforms, the new legislation enhances accountability, improves efficiency, and minimizes leakages within the revenue system”, he noted.
In his goodwill message, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu; commended the leadership of DOPF for the lecture series, describing the theme of this year’s outing as timely and thoughtful given the need for the people to be abreast of the new tax law ahead of its implementation.
The Governor revealed that the Delta State Internal Revenue Service had commenced the sensitization of the public on the provisions of the new tax law to ensure its seamless implementation in the state, and urged Deltans to always ask questions about and probe into the appropriation of public funds to enhance transparency and accountability.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Forum, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli; said the conversation was not just about taxation, but about what Nigerians should expect in return in terms of better roads, safer communities, business-friendly environment, and efficient and transparent utilisation of public resources.
Enebeli stressed that taxation and public service delivery should go hand-in-hand if the new law must gain public trust and achieve its intended objectives.
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