President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws will take effect on January 1, 2026, insisting there will be no postponement of the reforms.
In a statement he personally signed on Tuesday, the President said the tax overhaul—covering laws enacted on June 26, 2025, as well as others slated for commencement in the new year—marks a critical turning point for the country’s fiscal framework.
According to Tinubu, the reforms are designed to reset Nigeria’s tax system, improve coordination across agencies, and strengthen the social contract, rather than impose additional burdens on citizens.
“These reforms represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive and resilient fiscal foundation for our country,” the President said.
He stressed that the new laws are not intended to raise taxes but to harmonise the system, protect human dignity and promote shared prosperity.
Tinubu called on all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, noting that the process has moved fully into delivery.
“The implementation stage is now firmly underway, and no substantial issue has been identified that justifies disrupting the reform process,” he said.
The President also cautioned against hasty reactions, arguing that public confidence is earned through consistency and sound decision-making.
“Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions, not through premature, reactive measures,” the statement added.
Reaffirming his commitment to due process, Tinubu said his administration would continue to work with the National Assembly to address any concerns that may arise during implementation, while safeguarding the integrity of laws already enacted.
He assured Nigerians that the reforms would be pursued in the overall public interest, with the goal of creating a tax system that encourages growth and shared responsibility.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, confirmed that the final phase of implementation—covering the Nigeria Tax Act and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act—remains on schedule.
Oyedele said the decision to proceed was guided by the “pro-people” orientation of the laws, which are structured to reduce the tax burden on vulnerable groups.
“The reforms are engineered to shift the burden away from those least able to pay,” he said.
He added that government projections indicate that about 98 per cent of Nigerian workers and 97 per cent of small businesses will either be exempt from taxes or experience significant reductions in their tax liabilities under the new regime.
