The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the implementation of Nigeria’s new tax reform laws will commence on January 1, 2026, despite rising controversy over alleged discrepancies in the gazetted versions of the Acts.
Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, stated this on Friday after briefing President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, stressing that the reforms are aimed at easing the financial burden on Nigerians rather than generating quick revenue.
“The plan to commence the new tax laws on January 1, 2026, remains on course. These reforms are designed to provide relief to the Nigerian people,” Oyedele told journalists.
His comments came shortly after the National Assembly ordered the re-gazetting of the four tax reform laws, following public complaints that the versions published in the Official Gazette differed from those passed by lawmakers.
Oyedele said the reforms would significantly reduce taxes for most Nigerians, particularly low-income earners and small businesses.
“About 98 per cent of workers at the bottom of the income ladder will either pay no personal income tax or pay less,” he said.
“In addition, about 97 per cent of small businesses will be exempt from corporate income tax, VAT and withholding tax, while large businesses will also see reduced tax obligations.”
According to him, the overarching goal of the reforms is to stimulate economic growth, promote inclusion and ensure shared prosperity.
“We are focused on economic growth and fairness. When the economy grows, revenue increases naturally as more people and businesses participate,” Oyedele explained.
Addressing concerns about preparedness for implementation, the committee chairman said the government has been preparing for months, beginning from when the bills were transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024.
“The bills spent nine months at the National Assembly, and preparation started from day one. Since presidential assent in June 2025, we have also engaged in capacity building, system upgrades and nationwide sensitisation,” he noted.
Oyedele acknowledged that tax reforms are an ongoing process but maintained that the government is ready to begin.
“You never achieve perfection at once. You improve as you go along, and we believe we are at a good point to commence implementation,” he said.
He also disclosed that two of the four tax laws — the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act — took effect on June 26, 2025, to allow institutions adjust ahead of full rollout.
On revenue expectations, Oyedele clarified that the reforms are not driven by the need for immediate income.
“This reform is not about instant revenue. Over time, revenue will come from growth, expansion of the tax base, removal of inefficient incentives and better compliance,” he said.
The tax reforms have, however, sparked controversy following claims by Rep.
Abdussamad Dasuki (Sokoto) that the gazetted versions contained provisions not approved by the legislature.
Dasuki warned during plenary that the alleged alterations posed serious legal and constitutional concerns, citing contentious powers such as arrest authority, garnishment without court orders and compulsory foreign currency assessments.
In response, the National Assembly directed its Clerk to re-gazette the laws and issue Certified True Copies of the versions passed by both chambers.
House of Representatives spokesman Akin Rotimi said the directive, jointly issued by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, was meant to safeguard legislative integrity.
“This step is intended to ensure clarity, accuracy and proper documentation of the legislative record,” Rotimi said.
An ad hoc committee chaired by Muktar Betara (APC, Borno) has also been set up to investigate the alleged discrepancies and trace the process from passage to presidential assent and gazetting.
