President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has launched a scathing attack on the newly enacted tax reform laws, describing them as “regressive” and burdensome on low-income earners while alleging deliberate exclusion of workers from the reform process.
Speaking on Wednesday during the unveiling of the memoir of former NLC President Hassan Sunmonu and his 85th birthday celebration in Abuja, Ajaero demanded an immediate review, warning that proceeding without addressing concerns would deepen hardship for the masses.
“The Tax Laws went through a process that clearly excluded Nigerian workers and masses who are the major taxpayers in Nigeria,” Ajaero said. “Tax that taxes the masses who are living in excruciating poverty is regressive. That was why we were excluded from the Committee and that was why our warnings went unheeded.”
He called for a pause in the “negative path,” urging the government to rethink and redirect the reforms, arguing that any policy imposing heavy obligations on minimum wage earners cannot be fair or progressive.
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Ajaero’s comments come as the four tax reform acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in 2025 took full effect on January 1, 2026, amid ongoing controversies including alleged discrepancies in published versions and calls for suspension from various stakeholders.
The NLC leader also reiterated demands for the government to address workers’ wages ahead of upcoming national minimum wage negotiations.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyem
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