The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called on the Federal Government to grant special protection to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) under the new tax implementation framework scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
The ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, made the appeal on Tuesday in Abuja during the Chamber’s 2025 End-of-Year Media Parley, warning that the new tax regime could place additional pressure on small businesses already struggling with rising costs.
Obegolu described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy but noted that many continue to face challenges such as high operating expenses, limited access to finance, unreliable power supply and regulatory bottlenecks.
“MSMEs remain the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, yet they continue to grapple with rising operational costs, limited access to finance, unreliable power supply and regulatory bottlenecks,” he said. “It is therefore critical that they receive special consideration under the new tax framework.”
While affirming ACCI’s support for government efforts to reform the tax system, Obegolu cautioned that reforms must balance revenue generation with business sustainability.
“We acknowledge the government’s commitment to redesigning the tax architecture for improved revenue generation, but economic expansion not taxation, is the most sustainable path to increased government revenue,” he stated.
He called for simplified tax compliance procedures and reduced penalties for MSMEs, stressing that complex processes and harsh enforcement could discourage small businesses and weaken job creation.
“Tax reforms must eliminate multiple taxation, and tax administration must be transparent, efficient and technology-driven to reduce human interference and improve compliance,” Obegolu added.
The ACCI president also emphasised the need for continuous stakeholder engagement beyond the January 2026 rollout, noting that regular feedback would help address emerging challenges faced by businesses.
“Stakeholder engagement must not end with implementation. There must be continuous feedback and adjustments to address challenges faced by businesses, especially MSMEs,” he said.
He further urged authorities to issue clear and accessible guidelines ahead of the policy rollout and consider a phased implementation to give businesses adequate time to adjust.
Obegolu reaffirmed ACCI’s commitment to working with government agencies and tax authorities to build a fair, growth-oriented tax system that supports enterprise development in the Federal Capital Territory. He also commended the media for its role in bridging the gap between policy, business and the public, calling for sustained balanced reporting to strengthen investor confidence and economic growth.
