
The Digest:
Amid growing public anxiety over new taxes, the Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that the controversial five percent fuel surcharge will not take effect in January 2026. His statement aims to quell fears that the levy would worsen economic hardship for Nigerians.
Key Points:
- Taiwo Oyedele stated that the five percent fuel surcharge is not active and will not begin in January 2026.
- The levy is part of the new Nigeria Tax Administration Act but requires a formal commencement order from the Minister of Finance to take effect.
- The surcharge is designed to fund transport infrastructure projects, which, according to Oyedele, would eventually ease logistics costs and help curb inflation.
- Cleaner fuels like household kerosene, cooking gas (LPG), and compressed natural gas (CNG) are exempt from the surcharge.
- The clarification comes in response to "false and misleading" reports that the levy would be implemented next year.