Lagos State Government Responds to Peller’s ₦36 Million Tax Claim — Says Payment Is Mandatory

Lagos State Government Responds to Peller’s ₦36 Million Tax Claim — Says Payment Is Mandatory

The news as it trends

The Nigerian World. 

The Lagos State Government has officially responded to viral claims by TikTok influencer Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, regarding a ₦36 million tax bill.

According to the Special Adviser on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) operates independently, and the tax assessment is legitimate.

While the specifics of Peller’s case are under review, Ogungbo emphasized that all earners in Lagos — including digital creators — are constitutionally required to pay tax.

The government clarified that income earned virtually or physically within the state is taxable.

Peller’s protest sparked debate, but the mandate stands: if you earn in Lagos, you must remit taxes. No exceptions, no exemptions.

The ₦36 million tax bill issued to Peller was likely calculated based on estimated earnings from his digital content, brand partnerships, and online visibility.

The Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) uses data from bank transactions, social media metrics, and lifestyle indicators to assess income — especially for influencers and entertainers who may not file regular tax returns.

Since Peller rose to fame in 2024, the agency may have retroactively assessed his earnings over that period, applying penalties and interest for non-compliance.

It’s part of a broader push to bring digital creators into the formal tax net.

Meaning, if you earn in Lagos — online or offline — the government expects you to pay your own dues.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.