The Lagos State Government has responded to viral claims by 20-year-old TikTok star Habeeb Hamzat, known as Peller, who says he received a ₦36 million tax bill from the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).
Peller, who became famous in 2024, recently went live with singer Peruzzi to share his frustration about the tax demand.
The young influencer questioned why he should pay such a large amount after only being in the spotlight for about a year.
“The task force said I should pay ₦36m in tax. I swear to Almighty Allah, I don’t have anything. I only came into the limelight last year.
Why should I pay ₦36m? Why will the government take money from me when it has never given me anything, not even TikTok support?” Peller said during the live session.
On Tuesday, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, Special Adviser on Tax and Revenue to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, addressed the situation.
He explained that the LIRS operates independently when it comes to tax assessments and enforcement.
While Ogungbo said he would investigate Peller’s specific case, he emphasized that paying taxes is a legal requirement for all income-earning Nigerians.
“Anyone who earns legitimately is required by Section 24 of the Nigerian Constitution to declare their income honestly and pay tax.
While the size of this case needs proper review, the principle remains that anyone earning must remit taxes,” he stated.
The adviser also highlighted recent changes in Lagos tax policy that now include digital creators and online earnings.
He explained that anyone living in Lagos and using the state’s infrastructure must pay taxes there, regardless of how they earn their income.
“Whether you earn physically or virtually, once you reside in Lagos and benefit from the state’s infrastructure, you are expected to pay tax here, unless you can prove you are paying to another jurisdiction,” Ogungbo said.
He confirmed that he hadn’t personally reviewed Peller’s case but promised to work with LIRS for clarification.
The LIRS has not yet made an official statement about the matter, and their Head of Corporate Communications, Monsurat Amasa, could not be reached for comment.
