Reform committee boss, Oyedele clears Tinubu, reveals origin of 5% fuel tax

The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has clarified that President Bola Tinubu is not responsible for the recently controversial 5 percent surcharge on imported fuel.

Oyedele explained that the levy originated from a law enacted in 2007 during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He stressed that the surcharge was not a new policy introduced by the Tinubu government, but rather a provision that is now being enforced.

According to him, the tax was part of Nigeria’s customs and fiscal regulations designed to generate revenue from imports, including petroleum products.

The clarification comes amid widespread criticism of the surcharge, with many Nigerians assuming it was a fresh initiative by the current administration. Oyedele assured that his committee is working on reforms to simplify the nation’s tax system and prevent confusion around policies.