The leadership of the National Assembly has stepped in to address the growing controversy surrounding Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws, directing that the laws be re-gazetted for clarity and accuracy. The move was ordered by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, as public debate over the laws continues to gather momentum.
The directive was made public on Friday through a statement issued by the House of Representatives spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi. According to him, the National Assembly has already begun a review of the tax laws in response to concerns raised in the public space, stressing that the process is being handled strictly within the constitutional and statutory powers of the legislature.
Rotimi explained that the leadership instructed the Clerk of the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions that were duly passed by both chambers. He noted that the exercise is purely administrative and aimed at ensuring that the legislative record accurately reflects the decisions taken by lawmakers.
He further emphasized that the step is meant to protect the integrity of the lawmaking process and eliminate any confusion surrounding the final versions of the tax laws. The National Assembly, he said, is committed to transparency and accuracy in its legislative duties.
The controversy erupted after a lawmaker, Abdulsamman Dasuki, raised concerns about alleged discrepancies between the tax laws passed by the National Assembly and the versions that were eventually gazetted. His claims sparked widespread criticism and reignited debates over legislative procedures and accountability.
Despite the ongoing review, the tax laws are still expected to take effect from January 2026, barring any further changes. The leadership insists that the re-gazetting exercise is a corrective step aimed at restoring public confidence and ensuring that the laws stand on a solid legal foundation.
