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| NBA President Afam Osigwe |
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the immediate suspension of Nigeria's newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, citing serious concerns over alleged discrepancies between the versions passed by the National Assembly and those officially gazetted.
In a statement issued Tuesday, NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, described the controversies as raising "grave concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process."
"The controversies that have emerged in relation to the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts raise grave concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process," Osigwe said. He added that such issues "undermine the procedural sanctity that must attend lawmaking in a democratic society."
Osigwe demanded a "comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation" to clarify the circumstances surrounding the laws' enactment. "Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended," he stated.
The four laws – the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act – were signed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025. They aim to modernise taxation, reduce burdens on low-income earners and small businesses, and streamline revenue collection, with implementation set for January 1, 2026.
The controversy erupted last week when House of Representatives member Abdulsamad Dasuki alleged discrepancies in the gazetted versions, claiming they differed from what lawmakers debated and approved. Dasuki raised the issue as a matter of privilege, arguing it breached legislative rights.
Earlier calls for suspension came from groups like the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), echoing concerns over transparency and potential constitutional violations.
On the government side, Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, dismissed the allegations on Monday, calling circulating documents "fake" and based on misinformation. "Before you can say there is a difference between what was gazetted and what was passed, we need to have what was passed," Oyedele said on Channels Television. He urged allowing the House committee's ongoing investigation to proceed, warning that delaying reforms would preserve a "broken system" harming businesses and the poor.
The NBA warned that unresolved uncertainty could erode investor confidence, disrupt the business environment, and undermine the rule of law.
As the January implementation date approaches, pressure mounts on authorities to address the claims swiftly.
