Zacch Adedeji, the chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), has dismissed widespread rumours suggesting that new tax laws in Nigeria allow authorities to monitor personal bank transfers.
In an interview with Arise TV monitored Truthlive news media on Sunday, Adedeji said the misinformation was largely being spread by individuals seeking to avoid paying taxes.
“Nobody will look for narration,” he said, referring to claims that banks would report the purpose of transfers to the tax authorities. “Those people promoting these rumours are those avoiding taxes.”
Adedeji emphasised that transfers between individuals, including gifts to family members, are not monitored by any tax authority, whether at the state or federal level. “It was not in the old law and it cannot be in the new law,” he added.
The NRS chairman also addressed concerns about charges on bank transfers, noting that recent changes have reduced the financial burden on citizens. Previously, both the sender and the recipient were liable for stamp duties on transfers. Under the new system, only the sender pays the duty.
Adedeji clarified that many complaints related to taxation actually fall under state governments’ jurisdictions. He said the federal government primarily collects corporate taxes, while ongoing reforms are encouraging states to adopt the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, to streamline tax administration and reduce multiple taxation.
“The goal of these reforms is to promote prosperity among Nigerians,” Adedeji said, stressing that government revenue grows only when citizens and businesses thrive.
The remarks come amid heightened public concern over Nigeria’s evolving tax policies.