ABUJA — A claim by the senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Ireti Kingibe, that Nigeria's new tax laws require every citizen to pay 25 per cent of their earnings is not supported by the law, a fact check by Premium Times has found.

In a video from a rally in Abuja that circulated online, Kingibe, who now belongs to the African Democratic Congress, said the government had not yet applied the 25 per cent rate for fear of a backlash. The four tax reform laws were passed in June 2025, gazetted in September 2025 and took effect on 1 January 2026.

Under the Fourth Schedule of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, personal income tax rises in steps. The first N800,000 of chargeable income is tax-free. The next N2.2 million is taxed at 15 per cent, the next N9 million at 18 per cent, the next N13 million at 21 per cent and the next N25 million at 23 per cent. Only income above N50 million a year is taxed at 25 per cent.

This means 25 per cent is the highest rate, applied only to the part of income above N50 million. A person with N1 million of chargeable income pays N30,000, and minimum-wage earners are exempt. Premium Times said the senator stood by her claim when contacted.