SMEDAN Hosts 2nd National Town Hall on Tax Reforms

….. Oyedele Assures Protection for Vulnerable Nigerians

Our Reporter

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) on Tuesday convened its 2nd National Town Hall Meeting on Tax Reforms in Abuja, bringing together policymakers, tax experts and micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) operators to discuss the impact of Nigeria’s ongoing fiscal reforms on small businesses and low-income earners.

The town hall featured a keynote address by the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, who outlined measures being introduced to simplify tax compliance, eliminate multiple taxation, and protect vulnerable Nigerians from excessive fiscal burdens.

The meeting, organised by SMEDAN, aimed at bridging the gap between complex tax policies and the everyday realities faced by entrepreneurs, particularly nano and micro business owners.

Discussions focused on correcting misconceptions around taxation, promoting digital compliance systems and ensuring that fiscal reforms support business sustainability rather than stifle growth.

Speaking at the event, Oyedele said the guiding principle of the ongoing reforms is to “tax the fruit, not the seed,” noting that government policies are being redesigned to encourage productivity while shielding the poor.

He explained that key elements of the reforms include exemptions for low-income earners and nano-businesses, the removal of what he described as “nuisance taxes” that disproportionately affect small traders, and the elimination of hidden levies on essential goods and logistics to help curb inflation.

Oyedele also highlighted plans to streamline Nigeria’s tax codes and increase awareness of tax incentives, holidays and rebates available to MSMEs but often left unclaimed due to lack of information.

In his remarks, the Director-General of SMEDAN, Dr. Charles Odii, said the presence of the Presidential Committee allowed for open and direct engagement with entrepreneurs.

“Having Mr. Oyedele here today ensures that our entrepreneurs are not just hearing about policies but actively participating in a reform process that prioritises their survival and growth,” Odii said.

He reaffirmed SMEDAN’s role as the apex agency for MSME development in Nigeria, adding that the agency remains committed to providing policy advocacy, capacity-building, and an enabling environment for small businesses to thrive.

Odii disclosed that similar town hall engagements would be replicated across the country to ensure that nano, micro and small enterprises benefit fully from the economic growth and prosperity agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

He also reiterated plans to establish MSME councils in all states of the federation to strengthen support for small business owners.

The event concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which entrepreneurs engaged Oyedele and SMEDAN officials on concerns surrounding tax compliance and the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

Oyedele assured participants that government is working towards a fairer system. “We are building a tax framework where the vulnerable are protected and small business owners are treated as partners in progress, not targets,” he said.