NASS To Allow Public Review Tax Bills Following Alleged Discrepancies

The National Assembly has said that it would make copies of the controversial tax bills available for public review.

A statement by the Director for Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, on behalf of the Clerk, on Thursday, noted that the move was necessary following public discussions concerning alleged discrepancies between the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the Gazetted versions of recently passed Tax Acts.

“In response to public calls for transparency, the Leadership of the National Assembly has directed the Clerk to make available the transmitted Tax Bills duly signed by the President, including the certificate pages.

“This step will allow  members of the public to independently review the documents and verify the facts.”

According to the statement, the Assembly explained that despite widespread public interest, only a limited number of persons have formally requested Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills, adding that all such requests have been processed.

“Interested persons may apply to the Clerk to the National Assembly, indicating the specific Bills required and paying the prescribed fees.

“The Clerk is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in compliance with the law.

“These Gazettes are expected to be ready on or before 1 January 2026. While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication  rests with the Federal Government Printing Press.”

To strengthen institutional processes, the NASS disclosed that it is reviewing procedures for the transmission and gazetting of bills.

Henceforth, it said all bills for presidential assent will be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, and no request for gazetting an act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the printing press, unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorised representative.

“The National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability, and professionalism in  the legislative process.”

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There have been allegations that certain provisions had been smuggled into the tax bills passed by the National Assembly, thus making the tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu on June 26, 2025, and billed to be effective from January 1, 2026, different from the bills passed.

President Bola Tinubu said in a personally signed statement on Tuesday that the implementation of the new tax laws, including those enacted on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will take effect as planned.

Tinubu, who said the reforms represented “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation” for the country, clarified that the new laws were not intended to increase taxes, but to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity while strengthening the social contract.

The implementation of the tax laws has, however, met with resistance from different quarters, with many calling for its suspension until controversies are fully addressed.