CITAB Responds to New Tax Laws, Calls for Direct Reinvestment in Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities

The Center for Infrastructural and Technological Advancement for the Blind CITAB under the leadership of Executive Chairman Comrade Jolomi George Fenemigho has issued an official statement in response to the Federal Government’s recently enacted tax laws, effective January 1, 2026.

Comrade Fenemigho commends the reforms for aiming to strengthen revenue collection and alleviate the tax burden on low-income earners. However, he emphasizes that for these reforms to achieve true justice a deliberate portion of revenue must be invested to empower the entire disability community across Nigeria including individuals with visual, hearing, mobility, cognitive, and psychosocial disabilities.

In a statement released in Lagos, Fenemigho highlighted the urgent need for specific tax revenue allocations to support social programs and initiatives that address the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. “Taxation is not solely about collecting resources, but about distributing them to uplift every citizen,” he stated. “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.”

At present, 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 believes 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.

To this end, Comrade Fenemigho outlined the following key recommendations for the implementation of the 2026 tax framework

Subsidization of Assistive Technologies Introduction of a dedicated fund, drawn from tax revenues, to make a wide range of assistive technologies both affordable and accessible, including mobility aids, hearing and visual devices, communication tools, and more.

Exemption on Disability Related Imports Complete removal of Value Added Tax VAT and customs duties for all imported equipment, devices, and adaptive technologies designed for persons with any form of disability.

Accessibility Compliance Across Public Services As government services and tax systems become increasingly digital and automated, it is critical that all platforms, facilities, and communication channels be designed with accessibility in mind for people with all types of disabilities.

Incentives for Inclusive Employers 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.

Comrade Fenemigho concluded, “We applaud the exemption of Nigerians earning ₦800,000 or less from personal income tax, but we must also recognize the extraordinary cost of disability that millions face daily. 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.”