“No Income Untaxed: Nigeria to Begin Taxing All Earnings — Including Prostitution and Influencer Income — From 2026”

Starting January 2026, Every Nigerian Must Pay Tax — Regardless of How They Earn Their Income

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has announced that under sweeping new tax reforms, every Nigerian — regardless of the nature or legality of their income — will be required to pay tax beginning in January 2026.

Speaking on Saturday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David parish in Lagos, Oyedele explained that the reforms, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June, are aimed at broadening the country’s tax base and increasing revenue generation.

“All Nigerians, including those involved in sex work — often referred to as ‘runs girls’ — and online influencers, must pay tax,” Oyedele stated. “The tax system will no longer differentiate between lawful and unlawful income.”

He clarified that the new tax framework is based solely on the existence of income, not its source. “Whether you make money from providing a product or a service — even if it’s prostitution — the law requires you to pay tax,” he said. “The law is not concerned with morality; it only asks whether you earned income.”

Oyedele’s comments mark a dramatic shift in Nigeria’s taxation landscape. Historically, informal sectors such as prostitution and digital gig work have operated outside the formal tax net. The new regime seeks to change that, bringing in revenue from all income-generating activities, including those previously considered untaxable or illicit.

Also targeted under the new law are earnings from the digital economy. Social media influencers, remote freelancers, and others earning income online — particularly those paid in foreign currencies — will now be subject to taxation.

The reforms are part of the Tinubu administration’s broader effort to boost government revenue and stabilize Nigeria’s fragile economy. However, the move is likely to spark debate over its implementation, especially in areas involving legally or morally grey income sources.

With the 2026 implementation date approaching, the government is expected to launch awareness campaigns and enforcement strategies to bring millions of informal earners into the tax net for the first time.