President Bola Tinubu has insisted that the new tax laws will take effect on January 1, 2026, as planned. This was disclosed in a statement that he personally signed on Tuesday and issued by the State House.
This came as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party slammed the President, describing the move as hasty and insensitive amid ongoing controversies surrounding the alleged alterations to the legislation.
Tinubu, on June 26, 2025, signed the four Tax Reform Bills into law. These laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act.
The Acts comprehensively overhaul the Nigerian tax landscape to drive economic growth, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and enhance effective tax administration across the different levels of government. While some of the laws have gone into effect, others are set to go into effect on January 1.
Tinubu said, “The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining Acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned. These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for our country.
“The tax laws are not designed to raise taxes, but rather to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity while strengthening the social contract. I urge all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, which is now firmly in the delivery stage.
“Our administration is aware of the public discourse surrounding alleged changes to some provisions of the recently enacted tax laws. 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, not through premature, reactive measures.”
The President went on to emphasise his administration’s unwavering commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted laws.
“The Presidency pledges to work with the National Assembly to ensure the swift resolution of any issue identified. I assure all Nigerians that the Federal Government will continue to act in the overriding public interest to ensure a tax system that supports prosperity and shared responsibility,” he asserted.
In recent weeks, there had been allegations of alteration to the gazetted tax reforms. A member of the House of Representatives from Sokoto State, Abdulsamad Dasuki, alleged that the versions of the tax laws gazetted and made public contained provisions never debated or approved by lawmakers. This had sparked calls for the suspension of the implementation of the laws.
