FG: Runs Girls and All Income Earned in Nigeria Are Taxable

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By Odekunle Doyin

The Federal Government has clarified that all income earned in Nigeria is taxable under the law, including money made from sex work, popularly known as “runs girls.”

Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, made the remark in a now-viral video from a tax education session organised by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), City of David, Lagos.

Gifts vs Taxable Income

Oyedele explained that money sent to dependants as upkeep does not attract tax, describing such transfers as “non-exchange transactions.”

“If the amount you’re sending to someone is money you are giving them as a gift, that’s not taxable. It is you that should have paid tax before giving them a gift,” he said.

However, he stressed that once a person renders a service or provides a product in exchange for money, the law requires taxation, regardless of whether the underlying activity is lawful.

‘Runs Girls’ Must Pay Tax Too

Citing sex work as an example, Oyedele stated: “If somebody is doing runs girls, right, they go and look for men to sleep with, you know that’s a service, they will pay tax on it.

One thing about the tax law is it does not separate between whether what you are doing is legitimate or not. It just asks you whether you have an income. Did you get it from rendering a service or providing a good? You pay tax.”

Context of Tax Reforms

Oyedele urged Nigerians to see the broader context of the sweeping tax reforms, which he described as the most far-reaching in the nation’s history.

He likened the situation to the parable of the blind men and the elephant:

“Depending on the side of the elephant that they touched, they concluded what it was maybe a fan, a wall, or a tree. But none of them got the right answer because they didn’t feel the big picture. The same mistake could be made if citizens focus only on one aspect of the reforms.”

According to him, the tax reforms, enacted into law a few months ago and taking effect from January 2026, contain over 200 significant changes across more than 400 pages.

“These reforms will impact individuals, business owners, employees, employers, and civil servants,” he added, noting that the ultimate goal is to simplify Nigeria’s tax system and boost compliance.