Nigeria’s government said it is not considering introducing a fuel tax, seeking to dispel reports that Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele had signaled plans for an additional levy after the removal of petrol subsidies.
“Having removed the fuel subsidy, it would be insensitive for government to impose a fuel tax at this time,” Oyedele said in a clarification of remarks made during an ARISE News interview. The Finance Ministry said online reports suggesting a government plan had misrepresented his comments.
Earlier coverage of the interview by ARISE News quoted Oyedele discussing taxes as a possible future step once economic conditions stabilize and incomes improve sufficiently to absorb the additional cost.
In the original interview, Oyedele argued that imposing taxes immediately after subsidy removal would place excessive pressure on Nigerians. He also said any eventual introduction would require a published ministerial order in the official gazette.
“At the appropriate time, when the economy has stabilised, and income level would be able to accommodate it, then those taxes will come,” ARISE quoted him as saying. His subsequent clarification emphasized that these remarks should not be interpreted as an announcement of a government tax plan.
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