The Center for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind (CITAB) has called on the Federal Government to dedicate a portion of revenue from newly enacted tax laws to empower persons with disabilities in Nigeria.
Comrade Jolomi George Fenemigho, Executive Chairman of CITAB, pushed for the reinvestment as the tax reforms take effect on January 1, 2026.
Fenemigho commended the reforms for aiming to strengthen revenue collection and alleviate the tax burden on low-income earners, but emphasized that for these reforms to achieve true justice, a deliberate portion of revenue must be invested to empower the entire disability community.
Fenemigho, in a statement, highlighted the urgent need for specific tax revenue allocations to support social programs and initiatives that address the diverse needs of persons with disabilities, including individuals with visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, and psychosocial disabilities.
“Taxation is not solely about collecting resources, but about distributing them to uplift every citizen. We call on the government to ensure that a share of these funds meaningfully supports all Nigerians with disabilities, whether by subsidizing assistive devices, improving accessible infrastructure, or investing in inclusive education and employment,” Fenemigho said.
He noted that essential tools such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, screen readers, communication devices, and accessible public transportation remain prohibitively costly or unavailable for many Nigerians with disabilities.
CITAB opined that dedicating tax revenues to comprehensive government-backed subsidies and programs could help remove these barriers, opening the door to greater independence, opportunity, and participation for all persons with disabilities.
Fenemigho outlined key recommendations for the implementation of the 2026 tax framework, starting with the subsidization of assistive technologies through a dedicated fund drawn from tax revenues to make a wide range of assistive technologies affordable and accessible.
He called for complete removal of Value Added Tax and customs duties for all imported equipment, devices, and adaptive technologies designed for persons with any form of disability.
The CITAB chairman emphasized the need for accessibility compliance across public services, noting that as government services and tax systems become increasingly digital and automated, all platforms, facilities, and communication channels must be designed with accessibility in mind for people with all types of disabilities.
Fenemigho also recommended tax credits and incentives for companies providing accessible workplaces and demonstrating clear commitment to hiring and supporting persons with disabilities, regardless of their particular needs.
“We applaud the exemption of Nigerians earning N800,000 or less from personal income tax, but we must also recognize the extraordinary cost of disability that millions face daily,” Fenemigho said.
He added that by dedicating tax revenues to inclusive support for all persons with disabilities, the government invests not only in fairness but in unleashing the full potential of every Nigerian.
“We are ready to build and contribute when we have equitable access to the right resources,” Fenemigho concluded.
The new tax laws, which took effect on January 1st, 2026, represent a significant reform of Nigeria’s tax system aimed at improving revenue collection while providing relief for low-income earners through increased exemption thresholds.