Tinubu Okays Implementation Of New Tax Laws, Dismisses Calls For Suspension

 

President Bola Tinubu has rejected calls for the suspension of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws, declaring that no substantial issue has been established to justify halting the reform process.

In a statement personally signed by the President on Tuesday, Tinubu affirmed that the tax laws already in force since June 26, 2025, as well as others scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, will be implemented as planned.

According to him, trust in governance is built through consistency and sound decision-making, not through “premature, reactive measures.”

“No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process. Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions,” the President said.

Tinubu’s position comes amid public debate over alleged discrepancies between the versions of the tax acts passed by the National Assembly and those published in the official gazette.

Last week, the National Assembly ordered a re-gazetting of the tax laws after acknowledging differences between the legislative copies and the gazetted versions. In separate statements, the House of Representatives spokesman, Akin Rotimi, and the Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, explained that the matter was being addressed within the legislature’s constitutional and statutory powers.

They said the review process was in line with the Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act and established parliamentary practice, stressing that the exercise was purely administrative and did not invalidate the authority of the National Assembly or suggest legislative errors.

“The action is intended solely to authenticate and formally reflect legislative decisions,” the statements said, adding that certified true copies of the laws would be made available to stakeholders and the public.

However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the situation as a “grave constitutional issue,” arguing that any law published in a form not passed by the National Assembly amounts to a nullity. He insisted that any alteration after passage would require fresh legislative consideration and presidential assent.

Responding to the controversy, President Tinubu maintained that his administration remains committed to due process and the integrity of enacted laws. He assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would work closely with the National Assembly to resolve any identified issues swiftly.

“These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive and robust fiscal foundation for our country,” Tinubu said.

He explained that the tax laws are not designed to impose additional tax burdens, but to promote harmonisation, strengthen institutions and reset Nigeria’s fiscal structure in a manner that protects citizens and enhances the social contract.

The laws affected include the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2025, and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025.

The President urged stakeholders to support the implementation phase, noting that the reforms have now moved decisively into the delivery stage.

He also reassured Nigerians that his administration would continue to act in the public interest to build a tax system that promotes shared responsibility, economic growth and national prosperity.