The National Assembly of Nigeria announced that it will make copies of the contentious tax bills available for public review after allegations surfaced that the voted and gazetted versions of the recently passed Tax Acts differ. In a statement, Director for Information Bullah Audu Bi‑Allah said the move responds to public calls for transparency and allows citizens to independently examine the documents and verify the facts.
The tax bills, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu on 26 June 2025, are slated to take effect on 1 January 2026. Critics claim that certain provisions were smuggled into the bills, resulting in signed laws that differ from those passed by the National Assembly. Although public interest is high, only a limited number of individuals have formally requested Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonized bills, and all such requests have been processed.
To address these concerns, the Assembly has directed the Clerk to make the transmitted tax bills, including their certificate pages, available for public review. Interested persons may apply to the Clerk for copies of specific bills, subject to the prescribed fees. The Clerk is also collaborating with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in compliance with the law, with the gazettes expected to be ready by 1 January 2026.
Additionally, the National Assembly is reviewing its procedures for transmitting and gazetting bills to strengthen institutional processes. Henceforth, all bills awaiting presidential assent will be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, and the printing press will entertain gazetting requests only if they are initiated by the Clerk or an authorized representative.
The controversy surrounding the tax laws has prompted calls for their suspension until the issues are fully resolved. President Tinubu, however, affirmed that implementation will proceed as planned, describing the new tax laws as a critical opportunity to build a fair and competitive fiscal foundation for the country. The National Assembly expressed appreciation for the public’s interest and constructive engagement, noting that it enhances transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
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