Employers across Nigeria have been urged to adopt robust change-management strategies as the country prepares to transition to a new tax regime that could significantly affect business operations and workplace structures.
The call was made on Thursday in Lagos by the General Counsel and Human Resource Director of AXA Mansard Insurance, Ms. Omowunmi Adewusi, during an “Advocacy Round Table” webinar organised by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM).
The session brought together industry leaders and policy stakeholders to discuss the implications of the emerging tax framework for businesses and the overall cost of doing business in Nigeria.
Speaking during the webinar, Ms. Adewusi said organisationsmust go beyond mere regulatory compliance if they intend to remain stable and competitive under the new tax system.
She explained that companies would need deliberate internal adjustments to effectively manage the changes introduced by the evolving fiscal framework.
“There needs to be a serious change-management strategy that every employer must embark upon,” Adewusi said.
She added that transitioning to a new tax framework involves far more than simply meeting legal requirements.
“The transition to a new tax framework goes beyond regulatory compliance. Organisations must ensure that their internal systems, policies, and people are aligned to adapt effectively to the new environment,” she said.
According to her, major policy changes, such as tax reforms, often come with operational challenges, which require proactive leadership and careful transition planning within organisations.
Adewusi also stressed the importance of clear communication during the transition, noting that employees and other stakeholders must be properly engaged.
“Employers need to be more open with communication, more transparent, and more understanding as they move toward adopting the new tax Act,” she said.
She noted that transparent communication would help reduce uncertainty among workers and support smoother implementation of the reforms within organisations.
Despite the possible adjustment challenges, Adewusi expressed optimism about the long-term impact of the reforms, describing the new tax framework as a potential driver of Nigeria’s economic competitiveness.
She also encouraged start-ups and emerging businesses to view the reforms as an opportunity to strengthen their operations and build sustainable enterprises within a more transparent regulatory system.
According to Adewusi, businesses that proactively align their internal processes and governance structures with the new tax environment will be better positioned to succeed in the evolving economic landscape.
She added that the engagement reflects AXA Mansard’s commitment to contributing expert insights to discussions shaping Nigeria’s business environment, particularly in areas such as governance, regulatory compliance, and economic reforms.
Adewusi said such discussions support broader efforts aimed at building a more transparent, resilient, and investment-friendly economy.
