The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, has declared that all Nigerians, including women involved in prostitution, popularly known as “runs,” will be required to pay tax under the country’s new tax regime.
Speaking on Saturday at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David parish in Lagos, Mr Oyedele explained that the new tax reforms, which take effect in January 2026, make no distinction between income earned legally or illegally.
“One thing about the tax law is that it doesn’t separate whether what you’re doing is legitimate or not; it doesn’t even ask you. It just asks whether you have an income. If you got it from rendering a service or providing goods, you pay tax,” he told the congregation.
Using “runs girls” as an example, the tax chief said that since sexual transactions amount to a service rendered for payment, they will also be taxed.
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For years, earnings from prostitution and other informal activities have remained outside government revenue channels. However, the Tinubu administration, according to Mr Oyedele, intends to widen the tax net to include all sources of income as part of efforts to boost revenue and strengthen Nigeria’s struggling economy.
The new tax law will also cover income from social media influencers and Nigerians working remotely for foreign employers.
If you’re doing runs girl’, it means you’re rendering a service. Therefore, you’re liable to pay tax”. Tax law doesn’t care if it’s legal or illegal
~ FG Tax Reforms Chairman, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele says pic.twitter.com/zkSZOcfKsd
— Nigeria Stories (@NigeriaStories) September 29, 2025