Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — In a decisive move aimed at tackling rampant roadside extortion and unregulated levy collections, the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) — the apex coordinating body for revenue authorities in Nigeria — has announced a nationwide ban on illegal taxes, levies, and “road stickers” used by non-state actors at roadblocks. The directive is part of a broader effort to reform the nation’s revenue system, ease the burden on motorists and businesses, and restore confidence in lawful tax administration.
The JRB, which includes key national and sub-national revenue agencies such as the Nigeria Revenue Service, state and FCT internal revenue services, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and others, said the abolition of road stickers and related unofficial collection tools is effective immediately. The announcement followed the Board’s 158th meeting held on December 9–10 in Abuja, where members resolved to clamp down on all unlawful revenue collection practices that have long plagued highways and contributed to logistic bottlenecks across the country.
Roadside extortion has been a persistent grievance among Nigerians, particularly commercial drivers and small business owners who have complained of being stopped at makeshift checkpoints and forced to pay unauthorized “taxes” or levies. These practices, critics say, not only constitute financial exploitation of ordinary citizens but also undermine formal revenue structures and foster corrupt practices along transport corridors.
In its communiqué, the JRB called on security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Office of the National Security Adviser, to take immediate steps to dismantle illegal roadblocks mounted for the purpose of collecting taxes, levies, rates, or charges that are not backed by law. The Board emphasised that such roadblocks often operate outside legal frameworks, are sometimes controlled by vested interests posing as revenue agents, and have become synonymous with harassment, extortion, and general insecurity on the nation’s highways.
Officials also stressed that the abolition of road stickers extends to the design, production, issuance, and enforcement of all such instruments by state or non-state actors. Motorists were urged to refuse to purchase stickers from unauthorized agents and to report anyone attempting to enforce roadside levies to appropriate security authorities for sanctions. The directive reflects a coordinated approach between revenue authorities and law enforcement to protect citizens and ensure clarity and legality in revenue collection.
The JRB’s statement further urged state governments to expedite the passage of the Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Bill into law. This legislation, still under consideration in several state assemblies, is intended to harmonise taxes, rates, and levies across the country and eliminate the proliferation of arbitrary charges that have made life difficult for commuters and transporters.
Supporters of the move say it could reduce the cost of doing business, promote smoother movement of goods and people, and strengthen Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform agenda — a key priority of fiscal policy in the current administration. They argue that ending unregulated revenue collection aligns with broader objectives to enhance economic competitiveness, streamline compliance, and modernise the country’s tax administration framework.
However, the success of the initiative depends largely on enforcement and inter-agency coordination. Security analysts note that dismantling illegal roadblocks and extortion networks — often entrenched in local economies and connected to politically sensitive actors — will require sustained political will, robust intelligence, and consistent monitoring by both revenue and security agencies. They also emphasise the need for public awareness campaigns to ensure motorists know their rights and understand which levies are lawful.
The JRB’s call comes against a backdrop of recurring complaints from road users nationwide, which in some states prompted individual government actions in recent years. For example, revenue authorities in Kogi State have previously warned illegal collectors to desist from roadside extortion under threat of arrest, highlighting the security and economic concerns associated with unauthorized levy collection.
Local government revenue disputes can also compound confusion over approved levies. In Cross River State, lawmakers even summoned a commissioner to explain alleged imposition of illegal truck levies that were not sanctioned by the state’s internal revenue service, underscoring the friction and hardship that arbitrary charges can inflict on business operators.
For ordinary Nigerians, particularly transporters and their families, the JRB’s ban raises hopes of relief from the daily harassment and extra-legal demands that have at times added significant costs to travel and transport. Should the policy be effectively implemented, it could pave the way for more orderly and transparent revenue collection and enhance public trust in government institutions responsible for taxation and public finance.
Observers emphasise that the reform must be accompanied by clear communication on lawful taxes and levies, and by a strong legal framework where citizens can easily distinguish legitimate from illegitimate charges. They also underscore that enforcement alone is not sufficient; sustainable change will involve judicial action against lawbreakers, consistent application of harmonised tax laws, and the empowerment of motorists and businesses to assert their rights without fear of retaliation or harm.
As the ban is rolled out, the coming weeks and months will test the effectiveness of Nigeria’s new revenue administration posture and the capacity of authorities to dismantle entrenched practices that have for years burdened road users and distorted local revenue ecosystems.
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