By Ayoyinka Jegede

The Rivers State Mega Region axis of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) recently organised a public seminar on Nigeria’s new tax law, aiming to educate members and the public on the implications and benefits of the law.

The seminar, which is part of the Church’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, creates interaction between participants and agencies relevant to the implementation of the new tax law.

In his welcome address, Pastor Olawole Dahunsi, Mega Senior Regional Overseer of MFM, Rivers State Mega Region, emphasised the church’s commitment to being law-abiding and promoting transformation in the community.

“The church (MFM) is a law-abiding ministry teaching its members to obey the law as well as be agents of transformation everywhere,” Dahunsi said.

He said MFM has engaged in different humanitarian interventions and several welfare and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes aimed at empowering as well as impacting positively on members, host communities, and members of the public, making them economically independent and self-reliant.

Dahunsi, who revealed that the public seminar was one of the empowerment programmes of the church, thanked and appreciated the General Overseer of MFM Worldwide, Dr Daniel Kolawole Olukoya, and his wife, Dr Mrs Folashade Elizabeth Olukoya, who had given a clear directive for the church to intensify efforts to positively impact lives beyond spiritual teachings and deliverance prayers.

He likewise thanked the Assistant General Overseers (AGO) in charge of African Nations, Pastor Lawrence Olashehinde, for his support.

The seminar featured presentations on various topics, including Analysis of the New Tax Law, Benefits and Opportunities, Implications on Businesses and Individuals, and Compliance Requirements.

Payee and other taxes in Rivers State, company income tax, capital markets, securities and tax law, TIN and Nigerian tax law, business status and the new tax law, tax exemptions, remote/diaspora income and tax law.

Pastor Kola Bamiwuye, a tax consultant and auditor, highlighted the importance of registering for a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and complying with the new tax law.

“We have talked about the personal income tax and those that are liable to pay it. We all need the TIN either for earned income or unearned income, as well as the need for companies to register with pension administrators, etc.,” Bamiwuye said.

Mr Simeon Taiwo, Lead Consultant/Founder of Clarylife Global, discussed remote/diaspora income and Nigeria’s digital income tax, emphasising the need for digital earners to comply with the new tax law.

“Nigeria’s 2026 tax reforms reshape obligations for digital earners. The new framework explicitly captures foreign salaries, online freelance fees, FOREX gains and proceeds from digital-asset disposals,” Taiwo said.

Taiwo stressed the need to register for a Tax Identification Number (TIN), the need to keep pre-payment records (bank receipts, exchange CSVs and screenshots of CBN rates), the need to request withholding-tax certificates from local clients, and the need to file annually via official portals.

He warned that tax authorities now have improved data links with banks and platforms and can apply presumptive assessments where records are weak, so voluntary, well-documented compliance remains the simplest and safest route.

Other speakers included Godgift Ebelogu of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service, who discussed PAYE (Pay As You Earn) and other taxes in Rivers State, and Mr Ike Ukwuoma, who spoke on TIN and Nigerian tax law, urging members of the public to obtain their Tax Identification Number (TIN) for seamless operation and transaction in any state of the country where they reside.

On her part, Hon. Mrs Ani Christabel shed light on how to generate and form a business name using one’s children’s, wife’s and husband’s names for those married and, for the single ones, using their family members’ name combinations to get a unique, professional and sellable brand name. Christabel stressed the importance of registering the brand with CAC and keeping the business status active by filing yearly annual returns as well as paying taxes. She was enlightened on upgrading to a limited liability company due to the new tax policy that urges businesses with yearly turnovers above 800,000 and within 100 million.

The seminar provided participants with a clear understanding of Nigeria’s tax law, its implications, and reliefs for the low-income earners and encouraged individuals on the need for strict compliance in view of the penalties for default in compliance. Opportunities were given for participants to ask questions, which were exhaustively answered by the panellists.