Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in the National Assembly, has claimed that Nigerians could face a 25 per cent personal income tax if the All Progressives Congress (APC) wins the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.
However, the claim contradicts the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, which introduced a progressive personal income tax system under which different portions of an individual’s annual chargeable income are taxed at different rates.
Kingibe, who is seeking re-election to the Senate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the claim while addressing constituents in videos circulating on social media.
She alleged that the National Assembly had already passed a law imposing a 25 per cent tax on Nigerians’ earnings but that its implementation was being delayed.
In her remarks, the senator urged voters to reject the APC in the 2027 elections, arguing that another victory for the ruling party would worsen the economic hardship facing Nigerians.
“This is our country, we must claim it back. Nobody will do it for us. We are the ones to do it. As the country is not enjoyable for us, no one will change it except us. We must be the ones to stand up and say that enough is enough. We have had enough,” she said in Pidgin English.
Criticising the rising cost of electricity and other economic policies, Kingibe warned that Nigerians could face additional financial pressure through taxation.
“Tax will soon be increased to 25 per cent of everything you earn. The money you currently have is not even enough for you. And what I am telling you, it has been passed. We have passed it in the National Assembly, but they are scared to implement it,” she stated.
The senator further urged voters to end the APC’s hold on power, comparing the situation to the electoral defeat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after years in government.
“These 16 or 12 years of the APC, we did not enjoy the APC at all, and the time to change it is here. The same way we changed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when they were starting to give us problems is the same way we should change the APC,” she added.
Kingibe’s Claim Sparks Reactions Online
The senator’s remarks have generated discussions on X, with several users expressing concern over the possibility of a 25 per cent tax on personal earnings.
Digital media consultant Abdul-Aziz Abubakar supported the senator’s position, arguing that the opposition should inform Nigerians about the alleged tax implications and other economic policies.
Popular influencer Chude also shared the video, writing, “Woe betide Nigerians if APC wins the election.”
Another X user, Precious, claimed that the National Assembly had passed a bill that would impose a 25 per cent tax on Nigerians’ earnings if the APC secured another electoral victory.
Influencer DJ SpoiltKid also reshared the video, alleging that there was a plan to deduct 25 per cent from Nigerians’ earnings from the following year.
However, the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, do not support the claim that all Nigerians would be required to pay 25 per cent of their earnings.
How Much Income Tax Will Nigerians Pay Under The New Tax Law?
Nigeria’s new tax laws took effect on January 1, 2026, following President Bola Tinubu’s signing of four tax reform bills into law on June 26, 2025.
Section 58 of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, establishes a progressive personal income tax system under which the applicable rate depends on an individual’s annual chargeable income.
Under the provisions cited in the report, the rates are structured as follows:
- The first ₦800,000 is taxed at 0 per cent.
- The next ₦2.2 million is taxed at 15 per cent.
- The next ₦9 million is taxed at 18 per cent.
- The next ₦13 million is taxed at 21 per cent.
- The next ₦25 million is taxed at 23 per cent.
- Any portion above ₦50 million is taxed at 25 per cent.
This means that the 25 per cent rate applies only to the portion of annual chargeable income exceeding ₦50 million, rather than to an individual’s entire earnings.
For instance, an individual with an annual chargeable income of ₦55 million would not pay 25 per cent of the entire amount. The tax on the first ₦50 million would amount to ₦10.43 million, while the remaining ₦5 million would attract ₦1.25 million in tax.
The total would therefore be ₦11.68 million, rather than ₦13.75 million, which would be the result of applying a flat 25 per cent rate to the entire ₦55 million.
The applicable tax liability also depends on the individual’s chargeable income after relevant deductions and reliefs.
Kingibe Yet To Respond To Request For Evidence
According to the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), which reported the development, a reporter contacted Kingibe to request evidence supporting her claim about the alleged 25 per cent tax.
The senator reportedly said she was attending plenary and asked the reporter to send a text message.
After the message was sent, a follow-up call was reportedly declined at 2:19 p.m., and Kingibe had not responded by the time the report was published.
The report noted that the progressive tax rates had been publicly outlined following the passage of the tax reform legislation in 2025.
Based on the provisions cited, the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, does not impose a flat 25 per cent personal income tax on all Nigerians if the APC wins the 2027 elections.
Rather, the 25 per cent rate is the highest bracket in the progressive tax system and applies only to the portion of annual chargeable income exceeding ₦50 million.
