Former Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun has expressed strong support for the tax reforms recently introduced by the Federal Government, highlighting their potential to improve compliance and transparency.
Speaking during an interview with newsmen, Adeosun noted that tax compliance in Nigeria has historically been weak, particularly among wealthy individuals and large corporations. She referenced initiatives such as the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS), which aimed to curb tax evasion.
“When you’re finance minister, the word ‘no’ becomes your watchword. If your finance minister is loved by everybody, they’re probably not doing much of a job,” Adeosun said, emphasizing the challenges of enforcing fiscal discipline.
She also praised the Tinubu administration for pushing data harmonisation across government agencies, describing it as critical to boosting revenue collection and governance.
“I was excited when I saw moves to harmonise data. We’ve had TIN, NIN, BVN—too many numbers. Once you harmonise data, it becomes very difficult to hide,” she said. Adeosun added that integrated data systems, coupled with AI tools, enable the government to quickly identify individuals and companies benefiting from public resources without paying their fair share of taxes.
On Insecurity
Addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, Adeosun acknowledged the political will of the current administration to tackle the issue, while noting its complexity and long-standing nature. She also recounted a personal encounter during her tenure, when her home was invaded and she was held at knifepoint, forcing her to leave the residence permanently.
“Insecurity didn’t start overnight, and it won’t end overnight. But what matters is that there is now a clear will to tackle it,” she said.
New Tax Laws
Despite criticism of the new tax regime, President Bola Tinubu had in December 2025 stated that the implementation of the revised tax laws would begin on January 1, 2026. Tinubu emphasized that the laws were not intended to raise taxes, but rather to support a structural reset, harmonize data, and strengthen the social contract, while protecting citizens’ dignity.
DashMe Stores Initiative
Adeosun also highlighted her ongoing social enterprise, DashMe Stores, which has raised over ₦500 million to support vulnerable Nigerians and orphanages nationwide.
“We started in 2021 with one store. We’re now on our fifth, with locations in Abuja, Lagos, and Abeokuta, and plans to expand to Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Kano,” she said.
Through DashMe, Adeosun noted, the initiative has built four orphanages from scratch, refurbished several others, and revived long-abandoned projects, demonstrating a commitment to social development alongside her advocacy for fiscal responsibility.
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