Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief ABUJA — The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, has inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Committee to develop the 2026 Value Added Tax (VAT) Modification Order. The Ministry’s Head , Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie, in a statement, this morning said the committee was Inaugurated in Abuja, on Friday, in a move aimed at ensuring the effective implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws.
Oyedele was quoted as saying the committee’s work would “provide greater certainty for businesses, investors and tax administrators,” and thst the assignment was critical to the successful implementation of the Tax Reform Acts, which came into effect on January 1, 2026. Raymond Omachi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance was named the Chairman of the committee. The minister described the reforms as the most far-reaching overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades, noting that they were designed to simplify tax administration, improve certainty, enhance the country’s competitiveness, protect vulnerable Nigerians and lay a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth.
According to him, the previous VAT Modification Order, which was issued under the now repealed VAT Act, had served its purpose, but a new Order had become necessary to align with the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025. “This is not about reproducing an old document. It is about developing a VAT Modification Order that is clear, practical and responsive to the needs of a changing economy,” Oyedele said.
He explained that the new Order should eliminate ambiguity, simplify compliance for taxpayers, support investment decisions and provide tax administrators with clearer guidance for implementing the law. The Minister directed the committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the legal framework, administrative practices and policy directives governing VAT administration, with particular attention to VAT-exempt and zero-rated provisions contained in Part IV of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025.He tasked members with identifying areas requiring further clarification and engaging extensively with stakeholders across government, the organised private sector, professional bodies and other interest groups to validate classifications and resolve implementation concerns. Oyedele also instructed the committee to r…
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