Clarion Newschannel
December 30, 2025
Abuja – The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to re-gazette four key tax reform laws and issue Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the versions passed by both chambers, following intense public controversy over alleged discrepancies between the laws approved by lawmakers and those published in the Official Gazette.
The affected laws are 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. These reforms, signed into law by President Bola Tinubu earlier in 2025, are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and aim to simplify tax administration, enhance revenue collection, and improve Nigeria’s fiscal structure while reducing burdens on vulnerable citizens.
The controversy erupted after Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) raised concerns on December 17, alleging that the gazetted versions did not reflect the provisions debated and approved by the National Assembly. Public commentary has focused on issues surrounding the harmonisation of bills passed separately by the Senate and House of Representatives, the documents transmitted for presidential assent, and the final versions published in the Official Gazette.
In a statement issued on December 26 by House of Representatives spokesperson Akin Rotimi, the leadership of both chambers – Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker Abbas Tajudeen – instructed the Clerk to the National Assembly to facilitate the re-publication in collaboration with relevant agencies. This step is described as an administrative measure to ensure clarity, accuracy, and the integrity of the legislative record, without implying any defect in the legislative process or conceding wrongdoing.
An Ad Hoc Committee, working with other relevant committees and National Assembly management, is conducting an institutional review to reconstruct the sequence of events and examine any potential lapses, irregularities, or external interferences. The review is being carried out in full compliance with the 1999 Constitution, the Acts Authentication Act, and the Standing Orders of both chambers.
Rotimi urged Nigerians to allow the process to proceed without speculation, emphasising the National Assembly’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Civil society organisations have backed the move, stating it will restore public confidence and ensure access to authentic versions of the laws.
The federal government continues to defend the reforms, with Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, expressing confidence that the laws will strengthen Nigeria’s economy. However, opposition figures and groups like the Nigeria Labour Congress have called for suspension pending resolution.
As the implementation date approaches, the re-gazetting is seen as a critical step to address concerns and safeguard the sanctity of Nigeria’s legislative process
Tax Reform Crisis Deepens: National Assembly Orders Re-Gazetting of Controversial Laws Amid Allegations of Discrepancies
