4 min read
Nigeria Changed the Rules. Let's Talk.
The Debby Digest | January 26, 2026
Phew. Let's sit down small.
Because if you're a business owner in Nigeria and you haven't heard whispers of "new tax law," "2026 changes," or "government don tighten things," then either you've been on holiday since October... or you've been avoiding business WhatsApp groups which I understand, honestly.
But yes. Nigeria has officially updated its tax framework.
And before your mind jumps to fear, stress, or "they want to choke us again," let's breathe first.
This is not one of those scary, grammar-filled conversations. This is a real one.
First Things First: Nobody Is After You (Relax)
The new tax law is not a sudden ambush on small businesses.
It's not a midnight knock.
And it's not designed to punish people selling from shops, stalls, Instagram, or POS terminals.
What Nigeria is saying:
"Let's simplify this thing. Let's make the rules clearer."
For years, the system was muddied with multiple taxes, overlapping rules, different agencies saying different things, confusion everywhere, and when things are confusing in Nigeria, guess who suffers most? Yes. It's you, me, and growing businesses.
What This Change Really Signals (In Plain English)
If we strip away all the big words, this is the real message:
Business is becoming more visible.
That's it.
- More digital payments.
- More online transactions.
- More POS usage.
- More records that can be traced.
And honestly? This didn't start today. It started the moment businesses moved from notebooks to phones. From cash-only to transfers. From "I know my customers" to "check my dashboard." Nigeria is just catching up to the reality.
Why This Hits Home for Small Business Owners
Let's be honest with ourselves.
Many businesses are not failing because they're not making sales. They're failing because:
- Nobody really knows how much is coming in.
- Nobody knows how much is going out.
- Records are scattered.
- Decisions are based on vibes, not data.
So when conversations about tax, compliance, or structure come up, panic enters. Not because people are criminals, but because things are not clear.
That's just my opinion on the matter, what's yours?