By Vivian Emoni
Abuja, Dec. 16, 2025
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has issued a critical advisory, urging Nigerian businesses to proactively collaborate with qualified tax professionals. This move is essential to successfully navigate the sweeping changes introduced by the new Nigerian Tax Reform Acts of 2025 and to avoid costly compliance missteps.
ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, emphasized this during a news conference in Abuja, framing the reforms not as a burden but as a pivotal shift requiring strategic adaptation. “Inadequate tax knowledge is no longer a minor oversight; it’s a direct operational risk that can expose businesses to severe, yet entirely avoidable, financial penalties and disruptions,” Obegolu stated.
Why Expert Partnership is Non-Negotiable
Obegolu stressed that business owners must move beyond a transactional view of tax filing. Engaging qualified tax consultants is now a strategic imperative for three core reasons:
- Decoding Complexity: The 2025 Acts represent the most comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax system in decades. A tax professional translates dense legal provisions into actionable steps for your specific business structure and sector.
- Proactive Compliance & Dispute Prevention: Experts help businesses engage constructively with authorities like the FIRS before issues arise. They can seek advance rulings, clarify ambiguities in the new law, and ensure filings are accurate, thereby building a documented history of compliance that reduces audit risks and potential disputes.
- Identifying Opportunities: Contrary to perception, the reforms aim to eliminate multiple taxation and streamline the system. A knowledgeable consultant can identify legitimate deductions, incentives, and transitional provisions that can improve a company’s cash flow and competitive position.
“Such engagement is the surest path to smooth implementation,” Obegolu explained. “It transforms compliance from a feared obligation into a managed component of business strategy, strengthening trust with regulators and promoting economic stability.”
The ACCI as a Strategic Bridge
Positioning the Chamber as a vital intermediary, Obegolu outlined its dual role: advocating for business-friendly policy implementation while ensuring the business community understands its responsibilities. “Our goal is to ensure these reforms ultimately support economic growth and ease of doing business, not hinder it,” he said.
This collaborative philosophy, he argued, is more effective than confrontation. “Sustainable revenue generation for national development and thriving private enterprise are not mutually exclusive. Through dialogue and expert guidance, we can achieve both.”
Looking Beyond Compliance: Accountability and Growth
Obegolu elevated the discussion beyond mere rule-following. He described taxation as a “partnership with government” and urged businesses to also hold authorities accountable for the transparent and fair utilization of tax revenues. Simultaneously, he called on tax administrators to apply the new laws with consistency and clarity to build taxpayer trust.
The President also highlighted ACCI’s ambitious 2026 agenda, which aligns with helping members thrive in this new fiscal environment. Key initiatives include the National Livestock Conference and Exhibition, a Renewable Energy Conference, and international training programs in Canada, Rwanda, and Egypt. Flagship events like the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair and specialized women-in-business summits further reflect the chamber’s commitment to fostering enterprise development, technology adoption, and sustainable growth.
The Nigerian Tax Reform Acts of 2025 were signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on June 26, 2025, and are scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
Bottom Line for Business Leaders: The ACCI’s message is clear. In the face of transformative tax reform, seeking early and ongoing expert guidance is not an expense—it is a critical investment in risk mitigation, operational continuity, and strategic financial management. The time to partner with a tax professional is now, well before the January 2026 implementation deadline.
(Source: NAN News)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
