The Nigerian presidency has addressed the controversy surrounding the new tax laws set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The laws, which were signed into effect by President Bola Tinubu, have been met with opposition from various stakeholders, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi. The concerns center around alleged discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions subsequently gazetted and made available to the public.

A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki, raised concerns about the discrepancies, arguing that his legislative rights had been breached because the content of the gazetted tax laws did not reflect what lawmakers debated and approved. However, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has dismissed the claims, stating that the versions circulating in the media are fake.

Oyedele explained that the official harmonized bills certified by the clerk, which the National Assembly sent to the President, are not available for comparison. He noted that only the lawmakers can authoritatively confirm what was sent to the President. Oyedele also revealed that he had reached out to the House of Representatives Committee regarding a specific section of the tax law, but the committee had not met to discuss the issue.

The tax reform laws aim to simplify tax compliance, expand the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes, and modernize revenue collection across federal, state, and local governments. The laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, all operating under a single authority, the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The Federal Government has described the reforms as the most significant overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades. However, the implementation of the laws has been met with resistance, with some calling for their suspension. The controversy highlights the need for transparency and clarity in the legislative process, particularly when it comes to significant reforms that affect the country’s tax system. As the implementation date approaches, it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns raised by stakeholders and ensure a smooth transition to the new tax regime.