The Federal Government has announced that commercial sex workers, popularly known as “runs girls,” will be required to pay tax under the newly reformed tax laws.
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, made this known during an engagement session at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Lagos.
Oyedele explained that the new tax framework does not distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate income sources but focuses on whether an individual earns income from rendering services or selling goods.
He said, “If somebody is doing runs girls (sex worker), right, they go and look for men to sleep with. You know that’s a service. They will pay tax on it.”
According to him, the law only asks if a person earns income. Once it is confirmed that the income comes from providing a service or product, the individual is liable to pay tax.
He added, “It just asks you whether you have an income. ‘Did you get it from rendering a service or providing a good?’ Then, you pay tax.”
Oyedele clarified that gifts and financial support sent to relatives, friends, or strangers are not taxable, as they are considered non-exchange transactions.
“You earn a certain amount of money and you have to send upkeep to your cousin, your brother, even a stranger, it doesn’t really matter. If the amount you are sending is money you are giving to them not because they have done something for you, then it is a gift. We call it a non-exchange transaction. That is not taxable,” he explained.
The new tax laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all signed into law by Tinubu on July 26, 2025.
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