A young Nigerian social media influencer known as Raye has taken to social media
to express frustration after being charged ₦487,500 in Value Added Tax (VAT) on
purchases worth ₦6.5 million.
The outcry comes amid the implementation of the Federal Government’s new tax laws, which took
effect on January 1, 2026, aimed at tightening VAT collection and improving
transparency on high-value transactions.
Influencer Reacts to VAT Charge
Taking to her X (formerly Twitter) account, Raye shared a screenshot of the VAT charge attached
to her purchase receipt and questioned the sudden increase in her bill.
“Tax don start. These people just added tax to my bill; they said it’s due to the new tax law.”
Mixed Reactions Online
The post quickly generated reactions across social media, with Nigerians expressing mixed
opinions on the new tax regime.
While some users argued that stricter tax enforcement is necessary to boost government revenue
and national development, others sympathised with influencers, freelancers, and small business
owners already facing rising operational costs.
Many noted that the new VAT enforcement could disproportionately affect individuals earning
through online platforms, digital services, and content creation.
Public Reactions
One social media user wrote, “God abeg oo, this year go tough pass last year. How much tax be this?”
Another commented, “Tax for a country that isn’t functioning well. It is well.”
As VAT enforcement becomes stricter in 2026, more Nigerians are beginning to feel the impact of
the government’s new tax policies on everyday transactions.
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