The National Assembly has ordered the release of certified true copies of Nigeria’s new tax laws as the public rollout begins, following controversy over discrepancies between the versions passed by lawmakers and those published in the official gazette.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the move would allow Nigerians to independently verify the facts surrounding the tax reform laws.
He explained that the leadership of the National Assembly had directed his office to make available the transmitted tax bills duly signed by President Bola Tinubu, including certified pages, to address public concerns.
Ogunlana added that the Clerk’s office is working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the certified laws.
He also announced new measures to prevent similar disputes in the future, including routing bills through designated presidential liaison officers before gazetting.
President Tinubu has insisted that the tax reforms will take effect from January 1, 2026, describing them as a once in a generation fiscal reset.
His office said no substantial issue had been identified to justify delaying the implementation.
Meanwhile, a Federal Capital Territory High Court on Wednesday declined to halt the rollout of the laws, ruling that it lacked the authority to stop the implementation of legislation already signed and gazetted without concrete evidence of wrongdoing.
The tax reform package, which includes the Nigeria Tax Act and related legislation, was signed into law in 2025.
It aims to harmonise tax rules, broaden the tax base, and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service.
