The Nigerian presidency has responded to controversy surrounding new tax laws slated to take effect on January 1, 2026. Signed by President Bola Tinubu, the legislation has faced opposition from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi. Critics allege discrepancies between the tax statutes passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.
House of Representatives member Abdulsamad Dasuki highlighted these discrepancies, arguing that his legislative rights were violated because the gazetted texts did not reflect what lawmakers debated and approved. In contrast, Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, dismissed the claims as “fake” versions circulating in the media. Oyedele explained that the official harmonized bills, certified by the clerk and sent by the National Assembly to the President, are not available for public comparison, and only the lawmakers can confirm what was transmitted. He also noted that he had contacted the House Committee about a specific section of the tax law, but the committee had not convened to discuss the issue.
The tax reform package aims to simplify compliance, broaden the tax base, eliminate overlapping taxes, and modernize revenue collection across federal, state, and local governments. It comprises 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 describes the reforms as the most significant overhaul of the country’s tax system in decades.
Despite these claims, implementation has encountered resistance, with some stakeholders calling for a suspension of the laws. The controversy underscores the need for transparency and clarity in the legislative process, especially for reforms that profoundly affect the nation’s tax framework. As the January 2026 deadline approaches, it remains to be seen how the government will address stakeholder concerns and ensure a smooth transition to the new tax regime.
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