Lawmakers Renew Concerns Over Discrepancies in Gazetted Tax Laws, Call for Suspension

Concerns are mounting over alleged discrepancies in recently gazetted tax laws, as more lawmakers raise objections to the versions released to the public. Earlier this week, Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki of the House of Representatives highlighted a matter of privilege, claiming the laws gazetted did not match what was debated and passed in the National Assembly.

Joining the criticism, Hon. Muhammad Bello Fagge of Kano and Hon. Yusuf Shitu Galambi of Jigawa warned that the inconsistencies could undermine constitutional order and public trust in government. Speaking on BBC Hausa’s Ra’ayi Riga programme, Fagge said the opposition had initially objected to the bills, prompting extensive consultations with traditional rulers, governors, and citizens before the bills were harmonised and passed. He noted that the gazetted versions, however, contained alterations, particularly in sections of the Nigeria Revenue Service Act and the Joint Revenue Board Act, which appeared to shift powers from the legislature and judiciary to the executive.

Galambi urged a suspension of the laws’ implementation, scheduled for January 2026, pending investigation by a National Assembly committee. He expressed concern over provisions granting enforcement powers to the Nigeria Revenue Service without court orders, warning that such changes could provoke public resistance. The committee has four weeks to review the allegations and report back.

Experts have weighed in on the debate, emphasizing that taxation is not only about revenue but also about promoting economic growth and public welfare. Prof. Muttaqa Usman noted that mistrust arises when policies differ from what is publicly promised, while Prof. Auwalu H. Yadudu warned that altering laws after public debate threatens constitutional governance, citing provisions in the Nigeria Tax Administration Act as examples.

The federal government has defended the new tax laws, describing them as measures to enhance fiscal fairness and protect taxpayers’ rights. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, highlighted that several taxes, including excise and import levies, have been repealed or suspended, and expressed confidence that the reforms would stimulate growth without worsening inflation. At the signing ceremony, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the new tax framework as a step toward securing economic benefits for Nigerians and future generations.