The Federal Government has entered into information-sharing agreements with more than 100 countries to monitor foreign income earned by Nigerians working remotely for international organisations. The initiative forms part of the ongoing tax reform drive led by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, chaired by Taiwo Oyedele.
Speaking at a policy briefing, Oyedele confirmed that Nigeria is now implementing the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI) and Common Reporting Standards (CRS) frameworks, which allow partner nations to automatically transmit financial data belonging to Nigerian residents. The system targets freelancers, remote workers, influencers, digital creators and other individuals earning foreign income while living in Nigeria.
He emphasised that the new structure operates on a self-declaration model, requiring taxpayers to voluntarily disclose their foreign earnings. However, undeclared income detected through the data exchange system may attract presumptive assessments, penalties and interest charges.
Oyedele clarified that the policy excludes non-residents who spend fewer than 183 days in Nigeria annually, as well as personal remittances, gifts and pensions. He added that the Federal Government has engaged major global technology platforms in recent years and is already generating substantial revenue from digital service taxes.
According to the committee, the move is aimed at widening the tax net, improving transparency and ensuring that Nigeria benefits fairly from the expanding global digital and remote-work economy.
