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.
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.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party have knocked President Tinubu over his decision to proceed with the enforcement of the amended tax laws from January 1, describing the move as hasty and insensitive amid ongoing controversies surrounding alleged alterations to the legislation.
The President’s stance comes barely four days after the National Assembly directed the re-gazetting of the four tax reform laws following allegations that provisions in the published Official Gazette differ from what lawmakers actually passed.
Atiku said it would be irresponsible for President Tinubu to go ahead with the plan in spite of the public outcry over the alleged alterations.
He stated, “How do we know that nothing substantial was altered? Was there an investigation by the Federal Government or the Presidency? We are only aware that there was an ad hoc committee that had not completed its work. So why would the President go ahead? The President should remember that his mandate is derived from Nigerians. Nigerians have spoken, and they have spoken clearly about how they feel concerning these tax laws.
“As you know, tax laws have a huge impact on people’s lives, and it is only proper that all the processes that have been initiated are exhausted to be sure that this law was duly passed by the National Assembly and assented to by the President without discrepancies. Otherwise, it amounts to forgery. And that, by the way, is the character of this administration. It appears that forgery has become a state policy, to the extent that even a tax law— a so-called reform meant to improve tax administration in Nigeria—already has serious issues even before implementation.
“Sadly, it appears that the Senate President and the President are working in concert to ensure that Nigerians do not even have the benefit of this particular document. What was signed and gazetted? There are supposed to be three copies: one with the Presidency, one with the Supreme Court, and one with the National Assembly. Why is it difficult to produce any of these documents so that Nigerians can independently determine what happened and whether the allegations are true? It is not the responsibility of the Presidency to dismiss these concerns. Doing so represents the height of irresponsibility, to say the least.
“If the President goes ahead with its implementation, I want to say clearly that this is an act of irresponsibility. It reflects elements of dictatorship and follows the same pattern of state capture. I do not know what this administration is trying to achieve, but I do not think it is the right thing to do. He must understand that there are consequences for actions and inactions.”
On its part, the PDP reiterated that Nigerians are calling for a comprehensive probe into the irregularity, insisting on clarity about who carried out the alleged illegal insertion and the process through which it occurred.
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