Selar founder and CEO Douglas Kendyson has publicly accused the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) of unfairly targeting his company over creator tax collections. The dispute has sparked fresh debate about tax compliance, digital platforms and the responsibilities of Nigeria’s fast-growing creator economy.
Selar founder and CEO Douglas Kendyson has accused the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) of harassing his company despite what he says is full compliance with its tax obligations. The disagreement centres on whether Selar should collect and remit personal income taxes on behalf of creators who earn money through its digital platform.
In a public statement, Kendyson said Selar has consistently met its own tax responsibilities and has already paid nearly nine figures in taxes in 2025. He added that the company submitted documents to LIRS to demonstrate its compliance but claimed the agency continued to pressure the business.
According to Kendyson, the dispute is not about whether taxes should be paid. Instead, he argues that Selar should not be responsible for collecting personal income taxes on behalf of independent creators who use the platform to sell digital products and services. He maintains that creators remain individually responsible for declaring and paying their taxes under existing Nigerian tax laws.
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Selar has become one of Africa’s leading platforms for digital entrepreneurs. The company allows creators to sell online courses, ebooks, music, memberships, coaching sessions and other digital products while accepting payments from customers around the world. Since launching in 2016, the platform has grown into a major player in Africa’s creator economy and supports users across multiple countries.
The disagreement highlights a broader challenge facing tax authorities worldwide. As more people earn income through digital platforms, governments are trying to determine who should collect taxes and how those earnings should be reported. Similar debates have emerged around companies such as Uber, Airbnb, YouTube and other online marketplaces.
Nigeria’s digital economy has expanded rapidly in recent years. Thousands of Nigerians now earn income through freelancing, content creation, online education and digital commerce. While the growth has created new economic opportunities, it has also raised complex questions about tax administration and regulatory oversight.
Industry observers say the outcome of the dispute could have wider implications for Nigerian technology companies. If digital platforms are required to collect and remit taxes for every creator using their services, many startups may face additional compliance costs and operational challenges. Smaller platforms could be affected even more because they often have fewer resources to manage complex tax obligations.
At the same time, tax experts argue that governments also have a legitimate interest in ensuring that income earned through digital platforms is properly taxed. As online businesses continue to grow, regulators are under increasing pressure to modernise tax systems without discouraging innovation.
For now, Selar says it remains committed to complying with Nigerian tax laws while continuing discussions with the Lagos tax authority. The dispute reflects a larger issue confronting the digital economy. Technology is creating entirely new ways for people to earn a living, but regulations often struggle to keep pace.
Finding the right balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring tax compliance may become one of the biggest policy challenges as Africa’s creator economy continues to expand.
About the Author
Marcel Chidozie is a tech analyst and writer covering foreign news, fintech, and emerging technologies at TechRegard. Based in Nigeria, He's passionate about translating complex tech developments into compelling, accessible stories for diverse audiences. His work focuses on how technology shapes innovation across Africa and globally.
