N’Assembly Directs Release of Signed Tax Bills to Quell Gazetting Controversy

• As Gov Ododo signs new Kogi Tax Reform Act into law

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The leadership of the National Assembly has moved to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies between the votes and proceedings of the legislature and the gazetted versions of recently passed Tax Acts.

It consequently directed the immediate release of the transmitted bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.

In a press statement issued on Thursday, the National Assembly said the decision was taken in response to growing public debate and calls for transparency surrounding the tax legislation.

In a related development, Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State signed the Kogi State Tax Bill into law, a position which took effect from January 1, 2026, trailing introduction of the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act by the federal government.

Ododo signed into law two key revenue bills, aligning with the federal government’s new tax reforms, in effect, domesticating the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act to ensure smooth operation of the new tax regime.

The National Assembly leadership disclosed that the clerk had been instructed to make available copies of the transmitted Tax Bills, including the certificate pages bearing presidential assent, to enable Nigerians independently verify the authenticity of the documents.

The statement was signed by Director of Information, Mr. Bullah Bi-Allah, on behalf of Clerk to the National Assembly.

It clarified that although public interest in the Tax Acts had been high, only a limited number of individuals and organisations had formally applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills.

According to the National Assembly, all such requests received so far have been fully processed, while other interested persons were advised to apply directly to the Office of the Clerk, specifying the particular bills required and paying the prescribed fees.

The legislature further explained that the clerk was currently working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure the publication of the duly certified and assented Acts in line with statutory requirements.

It said the official gazetted versions of the Tax Acts were expected to be ready on or before January 1, 2026.

While stressing that the clerk initiated the gazetting process, the National Assembly stated that the responsibility for printing and final publication of Acts rested solely with the Federal Government Printing Press.

To prevent a recurrence of similar controversies, the leadership of the National Assembly announced a review of its internal procedures on the transmission and gazetting of bills. It disclosed that henceforth, all bills forwarded for presidential assent would be routed through designated Presidential Liaison Officers.

In addition, the statement said no request for the gazetting of any Act of the National Assembly would be entertained by the Federal Government Printing Press unless such a request was formally initiated by Clerk to the National Assembly or an authorised representative.

The National Assembly commended Nigerians for their sustained interest and constructive engagement in legislative affairs, describing it as critical to strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the law-making process.

The laws signed by the Kogi State governor included Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (Establishment) Law, 2025, and Kogi State Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2025.

The move is expected to boost state revenue, enhance transparency, and promote economic growth.

The new laws granted  exemptions for low-income earners. Individuals earning below N800,000 annually were exempt from tax.

The laws, “Increased investment: simplified tax processes and reduced compliance costs will attract businesses.

“Technology-driven efficiency: digitalised tax administration will reduce human interference and promote accountability.”

The new tax laws aimed to support structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity, rather than raise tax obligations.