Federal Government Clarifies: No Recruitment Of ‘Area Boys’ For Tax Collection, Says Oyedele

Federal Government Clarifies: No Recruitment Of ‘Area Boys’ For Tax Collection, Says Oyedele

Amidst public concern, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, has clarified that the Federal Government is not in the process of recruiting ‘area boys’ for tax collection…..CONTINUE READING

The statement comes in response to Oyedele’s earlier interview where he suggested the possibility of training individuals engaged in informal tax collection and offering them decent salaries to abandon unorthodox methods.

Oyedele emphasized that his comments were taken out of context and clarified that the intention was not to recruit new tax collectors but to engage with those already involved in the process.

He highlighted the need to eliminate numerous taxes and levies while finding a civil means of collection, particularly in cases where ‘area boys’ are currently employed for crude and unorthodox methods.

The tax expert stated, “I did not mention any word like recruit or employ. My thought on it beyond the legal aspect was to consider the social dimension and find a practical solution that has a high chance of success.” Oyedele outlined a proposal to train existing tax collectors to behave in a more civilized manner, paying them decently and involving them in driving and monitoring compliance.

He further explained that the focus was on achieving a win-win outcome where the government earns more revenue, taxpayers pay less, and society benefits.

The Federal Government’s commitment to tax reforms and the implementation of the recommendations from the quick win report presented by Oyedele’s committee in October 2023 remains a key aspect of fiscal policy and tax reforms under President Bola Tinubu.