President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made it clear that Nigeria’s new tax laws will be implemented as scheduled, despite growing criticism and calls for suspension from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). According to the President, the reforms—some of which already took effect on June 26, 2025, with others set to begin on January 1, 2026—remain a crucial part of his administration’s economic agenda.
In a statement, Tinubu acknowledged the concerns raised over alleged discrepancies between the versions of the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and those later gazetted. However, he insisted that no substantial issue has been identified to justify halting the reform process. He described the tax reforms as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” aimed at creating a fairer, more competitive fiscal system, stressing that the laws are not designed to increase taxes but to harmonise structures and strengthen the social contract.
The PDP, however, has strongly disagreed. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party accused the government of downplaying serious concerns about what it described as “dangerous provisions” allegedly smuggled into the final version of the law. The party argued that public trust is undermined when laws appear to contain unapproved sections and urged the President to suspend implementation until a full investigation is carried out.
Adding another voice to the debate, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) threw its weight behind the January 1 commencement date. NECA warned that delaying the reforms would be harmful to the country, describing any suspension as “a crime against Nigeria.” While admitting the laws are not perfect, the association maintained that reforms can still move forward while amendments are made along the way.
As the debate continues, the issue has clearly exposed deep divisions between the government, opposition parties, and key stakeholders over trust, transparency, and economic priorities—setting the stage for a heated start to 2026.
