The Federal Government has dismissed concerns over alleged alterations to Nigeria’s newly passed tax laws, insisting that the few changes made will not affect key provisions, including tax rates, filing deadlines, and the overall tax burden.
Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Tax Reform Committee, made this clarification on Wednesday in Lagos while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Economic Outlook organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) as part of its 60th anniversary celebrations.
“The issue of alterations is overstated. There are a few items that shouldn’t affect the main elements of the law—nothing about the tax rate, nothing about the filing deadlines, nothing about the tax burden. That is the core of the legislation,” Oyedele said.
The controversy erupted after some lawmakers and stakeholders raised alarms that the versions of the four tax reform Acts gazetted on January 1 differed from what the National Assembly passed.
The laws in question are: the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Nigeria Tax Act.
In December 2025, Abdussamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) raised a matter of privilege at the House of Representatives, alleging that the content of the gazetted laws did not reflect what members debated, voted on, and passed.
“I was here, I gave my vote and it was counted, and I am seeing something completely different,” Dasuki said.
The allegations triggered calls from opposition leaders for the suspension of the laws’ implementation, but the Federal Government insisted they take effect from January 1.
The House of Representatives, on January 3, released Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the four Acts, confirming the official versions passed by lawmakers and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
House spokesman Akin Rotimi said the release followed reports of multiple conflicting versions circulating in the public domain.
Oyedele further revealed that access to printed copies of the laws had been restricted by the National Assembly, adding to public uncertainty.
He said his team attempted to procure official copies from the government printer, only to learn that all printed copies were taken by lawmakers for review.
“The Acts Authentication Act says whatever the government printer publishes is the evidence of the law.
The printed copies were collected by the National Assembly, creating uncertainty. While legislative review is normal, the restriction on access has affected the clarity of the process,” he said.
Despite the confusion, Oyedele assured Nigerians that the minor changes would not affect taxpayers’ obligations or benefits under the new tax regime.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
