Nigeria: Distribution of generated Value Added Tax (VAT) by sector for Q1 2020 and Q1 2021

Of the total VAT generated in Q1 2021, Non-Import (foreign) VAT recorded a 116% increase — the highest compared with the same period of 2020. Here is a breakdown of the VAT generated by sectors in Q1 2020 and Q1 2021.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Inland Revenue Services

Period:

Q1 2020 - Q1 2021
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97% of businesses in Kogi are aware of Nigeria's 2025 tax reform, while 99% in Abia are not
  • Kogi entrepreneurs have the highest tax policy awareness in Nigeria (96.8%) in 2025.
  • Abia has the lowest awareness nationwide at just 1.4%.
  • Fewer than one-third of Nigerian states have awareness levels above 60%.
  • Major economic hubs like Lagos and Rivers have awareness below 50%.
  • Northern states dominate the top awareness rankings more than southern states.
  • Several states cluster around the 40–50% range, indicating partial reach.
  • States with low awareness risk lower compliance and higher friction during enforcement.
  • The gap between the highest and lowest states exceeds 95 percentage points, showing extreme disparity.
Nigeria's non-oil tax revenue solidified its dominance over oil in FIRS collections, reaching a record of ₦15.9t in 2024, more than 2.7x the ₦5.8t from oil
  • FIRS recorded ₦15.9 trillion of non-oil tax, almost three times the ₦5.8 trillion recorded for oil tax.
  • Non-oil tax revenue made up 73.3% of the total revenue collected in 2023.
  • From 2012 down to 2024, non-oil tax revenue surpassed oil tax revenue most of the time.
  • Oil taxes are petroleum profit tax and company income (oil & gas) tax while non-profit tax includes company income (non-oil) tax, gas tax, capital gains, stamp duty, NCS import VAT, and non-import VAT.
Nigeria's FIRS surpassed 2024 target as revenue soared 76% to a record ₦21.7 trillion
  • The FIRS collected ₦21.7 trillion, outpacing the target of ₦19.4 trillion set by the government.
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  • Comparing the values of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 reveals a significant shift.
  • The tax revenue collected in 2024 surpassed the amount collected in 2023 by an outstanding 75.6%.
Non-oil company income tax and two other sources accounted for over 70% of Nigeria's tax revenue in 2024
  • Company Income Tax (Non-Oil) emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for over 30% of total tax revenue.
  • NCS-Import VAT followed closely, contributing 23.63%, emphasising the significance of import-related taxes to Nigeria's revenue.
  • Traditional oil-based taxes such as Petroleum Profit Tax/Hydrocarbon Tax and CIT (Oil & Gas) jointly contributed over 26%, showing that oil remains a vital but declining pillar.
  • Newer tax streams like the Electronic Money Transfer Levy and NASENI (National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure) funding have emerged, but still make up less than 2% of total revenue.
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South Africa's personal income tax has increased in share from ~30% to nearly 40% over the years
Key Takeaways:
  • In 2007/08, personal income tax (PIT) contributed 29.46% of total tax revenue, while corporate income tax (CIT) added a substantial 24.46%.
  • The share of personal income tax in tax revenue rose by 27% from 2007/08 to 2023/24.
  • Corporate income tax contribution declined by 26% from 2007/08 to 2023/24.
  • In 2019/20, personal income tax made the largest contribution to tax revenue (38.9%), a 32% rise from the 2007/08 contribution.
  • Other taxes showed minor variations, averaging around 19% of total tax revenue.
  • Personal income tax reached its peak contribution at 38.92% in 2019/20 before dropping by 4% in 2023/24.
Over the last twenty years, the ratio of tax to GDP in South Africa has varied, reaching a high of 24.9%—a 19% increase since 2004/05
Key takeaways:
  • The tax-to-GDP ratio reached its peak in 2022/23 at 24.9%, signifying enhanced efficiency in tax collection.
  • Throughout the past two decades, the percentage of tax revenue relative to GDP has exhibited significant stability.
  • The tax revenue as a proportion of GDP has fluctuated between 21% and 25% over the last twenty years.
  • Notable declines occurred during global economic downturns, such as the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The recent years (2021-2024) reflect a robust recovery, with tax revenue percentages approaching peak levels.
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