The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has urged the Federal Government to suspend penalties on late tax filings for one to two years, allowing business owners time to adapt to Nigeria’s new tax laws and digital filing systems.
Chairman of the National Policy Advocacy Centre (NPAC) under ACCI, Dr Aliyu Hong, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Hong said many business owners are still struggling to understand the new tax framework and online submission platforms, stressing that enforcement of penalties at this stage could further strain the private sector.
He recommended a grace period of between one and two years to enable taxpayers to adjust properly to compliance requirements.
According to him, online tax filing systems should be fully tested, stable and widely understood before strict penalties are enforced.
“Online tax submission platforms should be properly tested and widely understood before enforcement of penalties for non-compliance,” he said.
Hong added that government should prioritise building reliable digital tax infrastructure and ensuring smooth adoption before full enforcement begins.
He also noted that the ACCI recently organised a tax roundtable aimed at educating business owners on the new tax laws, implementation process and compliance obligations.
The initiative, he said, is designed to simplify the reforms and improve understanding among stakeholders across different sectors.
Hong further explained that many Nigerians still lack adequate knowledge of the new tax policies and their practical implications, while implementation structures are yet to be fully stabilised.
He urged the government to adopt a gradual rollout approach, warning that abrupt enforcement could negatively affect small and medium-scale enterprises already facing high operational costs.
According to him, taxation should not focus only on revenue generation but must also support economic stability, job creation and national development.
He said businesses in Nigeria already operate under difficult conditions, including the need to provide their own electricity, water and security.
Hong also warned that unrestricted importation, combined with weak infrastructure, continues to undermine local industries and competitiveness.
He called for stronger policy support to improve the business environment, reduce production costs and encourage domestic enterprise growth.
