The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans for a massive peaceful protest and march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on January 14, 2026, in opposition to the scheduled implementation of the controversial Tax Reform Laws from January 1.
In a statement signed by NANS President Comrade Olushola Oladoja, the student body expressed “profound disappointment and total lack of confidence” in the Federal Government’s fiscal advisers, singling out FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji for “gross incompetence, poor stakeholder management, and disastrous implementation strategy.”
“The government must understand that there can be no government without the governed,” NANS said, demanding an immediate suspension of the Tax Reform Laws and the removal of Adedeji.
The group warned that proceeding with the laws without adequate public consultation sets “a dangerous precedent for a government that claims commitment to participatory reforms and democratic values.”
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, however, has insisted that the laws will be implemented as planned.
In a statement on Tuesday, the President said: “The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned.
“These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation.
“The tax laws are not designed to raise taxes, but rather to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity while strengthening the social contract.
“No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process. The Presidency pledges to work with the National Assembly to ensure the swift resolution of any identified issues,” he said.
NANS has however directed all campus chapters, state coordinators, and the national secretariat to mobilize for the January 14 protest, with Unity Fountain, Abuja, as the convergence point.
The group reiterated its commitment to peaceful, lawful action while opposing any attempt to implement policies without transparency, public consent, and constitutional compliance.
The Tax Reform Acts, which include the Nigeria Tax Act and Nigeria Tax Administration Act, have drawn criticism over alleged post-passage alterations and inadequate public sensitisation, prompting scrutiny from lawmakers, civil society, and now students.