Popular Nigerian content creator Habeeb Okikiola, widely known as Peller, has raised alarm over what he describes as an "exorbitant and unrealistic" ₦18 million tax bill from the Lagos State Inland Revenue Service (LIRS), a demand he claims could cripple his fledgling digital career.
In an emotional video that quickly went viral across social media platforms, the young TikTok star broke down while appealing to government authorities, saying: "Government, please pity me. I'm just managing to survive. This tax bill is enough to destroy everything I've built. Do you want to kill me? You have children like me at home too; why are you doing this to me?"
The distressed content creator suspects the massive tax assessment may be connected to false online rumors claiming he paid fellow creator Gehgeh a staggering ₦25 million for a single livestream collaboration - allegations he vehemently denies in follow-up videos.
"Please don't believe these exaggerated figures," Peller pleaded. "My fans collectively contributed to cover basic studio costs. Even my biggest brand partnerships never exceed ₦500,000. These false narratives about my earnings are putting me in serious trouble with tax authorities."
Financial analysts observing the situation note this case highlights growing tensions between Nigeria's digital creator economy and traditional tax frameworks struggling to adapt to new income streams. Many young influencers operate without proper accounting structures, making them vulnerable to potentially inflated tax assessments.
Tax consultants familiar with Lagos State's revenue system suggest Peller may need to formally appeal the assessment with proper documentation of his actual earnings. However, many young creators lack the financial literacy or resources to navigate such complex processes, leaving them at the mercy of automated tax calculations that often overestimate influencer incomes based on visible online activity rather than real revenue.
The situation has sparked broader conversations about the need for specialized tax frameworks for digital creators, with many calling on revenue authorities to develop clearer guidelines that account for the volatile nature of influencer incomes and the substantial business expenses involved in content creation.
As the story develops, fellow creators have rallied behind Peller, launching the hashtag #FairTaxForCreators to draw attention to what they describe as systemic issues in how African governments tax the emerging digital economy. The LIRS has yet to issue an official statement regarding this specific case.