The Lagos State Government has addressed the viral outcry from social media influencer Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, who recently claimed he received a N36 million tax bill from the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service.
In a widely circulated video featuring singer Peruzzi, the 20-year-old TikToker expressed shock over the tax demand, stating, “The task force said I should pay N36 million in tax. I swear to Almighty Allah, I don’t have anything. I only came into the limelight last year. Are you, Peruzzi, even paying tax, and how much is it? Why should I pay N36 million?”
Peller further questioned the legitimacy of the bill, arguing that the state had not supported his creative journey and was now demanding a sum he deemed unreasonable.
In response, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Tax and Revenue, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said the LIRS operates as an independent agency and that all earners in the state are legally required to pay tax under Nigerian law.
“I need to take a look at this particular context in question,” Ogungbo told reporters. “But generally, the LIRS is an autonomous body saddled with the responsibility of assessing and giving the best judgment on behalf of the government.”
Quoting Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution, Ogungbo explained that anyone earning a legitimate income in the country must declare their earnings honestly and pay tax accordingly.
When asked about tax regulations for digital content creators, he clarified that reforms are in place to cover virtual earnings and digital assets. “Whether you earn physically or virtually, you are expected to remit tax to the appropriate authority, which in this case is the LIRS,” he said.
Ogungbo also emphasized the role of residency in taxation. “If you reside in Lagos, use public infrastructure here, and there is no evidence that you are paying tax in another jurisdiction, then Lagos State has the right to demand tax.”
He concluded by saying he had not personally reviewed Peller’s case but would follow up on the matter. “Let me investigate and revert to you,” he assured.
As of the time of this report, the LIRS has not issued an official statement regarding the matter, and attempts to reach the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, were unsuccessful.
The controversy has sparked debate about how digital creators are taxed and whether state governments are adequately supporting or merely profiting from the creative economy.