Retail Supermarkets Nigeria Ltd, the operator of Shoprite in Nigeria, clarified that the Lekki outlet at The Palms Shopping Mall has not been sealed by the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service and continues to operate normally.
Chief Strategy Officer Bunmi Adeleye issued a statement on Thursday explaining that the company has operated in Nigeria for more than twenty years with transparent governance, full statutory disclosure, and consistent tax compliance.
The clarification followed reports published on November 12, 2025 claiming that LIRS shut down the Lekki store for alleged non-compliance with tax obligations. A notice placed at the mall entrance claimed the premises had violated tax laws under Section 94 of the Personal Income Tax Act 2011 and warned that removing the notice without LIRS approval could lead to imprisonment.
Shoprite denied that any sealing or enforcement action took place but confirmed that it received a Demand Notice from LIRS regarding the reconciliation of PAYE deductions for April to July 2025. Adeleye emphasized that the company complies with both federal and state tax requirements and follows strict internal controls while maintaining ongoing communication with relevant authorities.
Shoprite described the Demand Notice as a routine part of tax administration for major employers and said it does not indicate any tax default or enforcement process. The company is currently working with the LIRS technical team to complete the reconciliation and settle any confirmed balance. Adeleye added that Shoprite intends to resolve the matter quickly and uphold its long-standing record of compliance while contributing to the stability of the Lagos economy.
The company encouraged the public, vendors, and media outlets to rely only on official Shoprite communications for accurate updates on its operations.
