The Enugu State Government and the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) have sensitised business owners in Enugu on the 2026 new tax policy by the Federal Government.
The sensitisation tagged “Interactive Forum on the New Federal Government Tax Regime” was organised by ECCIMA in Collaboration with the Enugu State Internal Revenue (ESIRS) on Wednesday in Enugu.
The participants were market leaders, business and professional association leaders, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of companies and entire Enugu business community.
Speaking at the event, Chairman ESIRS, Mr Emmanuel Nnamani, described the gathering as unique and strategic targeted at educating business owners on things they needed to know about the new tax policy, how it affect their business and action they needed to take.
According to him, people need to know that they were supposed to pay their taxes when making income that is above the required threshold.
“So we gained a lot in this meeting because they now heard it firsthand and asked their questions personally and received explanation that appeals to them.
“The government needs to know how much income you have made to help them know our GDP and areas or sectors that require support. So it is important that in 2026 that we get ourselves prepared.
“However, in general terms, 2026 is not going to be different from the way we live our lives as nothing much is changing especially in the informal sector,” he said.
He highlighted that the poor would benefit more because the exemption threshold eliminated them from paying taxes.
According to him, this is because the exemption threshold of people who were making taxable income of N800,000 and income bracket around N1.3 million in a year would no longer pay taxes.
“So civil servants, from level 9, 10 and 12, depending on their contribution to statutory authority, may not be able to pay tax to government because their income bracket will come lower than the threshold.
“This is how the poor is going to benefit from the tax,” he explained.
Nnamani advised residents not to panic about the tax, stressing that the higher of one’s income, the higher the tax the individual would pay, emphasisng the need for income earners to get Tax Identification Numbers (TIN).
“Businesses should also file their assessment and comply with the tax directives,” Nnamani advised.
In his remarks, Chairman of the event and CEO, Roban Group, Sir Rob Anwatu, said the forum would allow participants to listen to tax experts to clear the confusion and doubt many people were having about the new tax regime.
Anwatu, who is also Chairman Board of Trustee, ECCIMA, urged the beneficiaries to listen attentively and ask the necessary questions.
Earlier in a welcome address, President of ECCIMA, Mr Odeiga Jideonwo, said the gathering aimed to identify areas and incentives that would support the growth of businesses.
Jideonwo, represented by ECCIMA first Vice President, Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, noted that government could reduce borrowing if Internally Generated Revenue increases significantly.
“Interestingly, just on Tuesday, the Enugu State Government presented a N1.62 trillion budget for 2026, without any deficit.
“This is because the state is targeting increased internally generated revenue in 2026. with the new tax law expected to be the major backbone.
“This policy will certainly assist a focused government in developing the state, and we trust that the Enugu State Government will take full advantage of this opportunity to make our State the investment destination of choice in Nigeria.
“As we interact with government representatives, we must be fair, sincere, intentional, objective, and committed to the prosperity and economic advancement of our dear state and nation without endangering existing businesses.
“Doing so, would negatively affect the decisions of potential investors. I am hopeful that this forum will provide a clear pathway for growing our businesses in spite of all odds,’ Jideonwo said.
The ECCIMA Legal Adviser, Mr Gabriel Onovo, expressed the need for tax authority to train their personnel to be civil when collecting the tax and continue to engage the people of the state on the new tax.