The National Assembly has ordered the release of Certified True Copies of the newly enacted Tax Reform Acts to stakeholders and members of the public upon request.
This directive, announced in a statement issued on Friday by the Senate’s Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, comes amid allegations that certain provisions in the tax laws were altered after legislative approval and presidential assent.
The statement confirmed that the National Assembly leadership had begun an internal review of the claims, which question the harmonisation of bills passed by both chambers and the versions eventually published in the Official Gazette.
“The Leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these matters strictly within their constitutional and statutory mandate,” the statement read.
The review focuses on the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025, and Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
To ensure transparency, the National Assembly has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to collaborate with relevant agencies to publish the Acts in the Official Gazette and issue certified true copies to any stakeholder or member of the public.
“This administrative action is intended solely to authenticate and formally reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly,” it added.
The National Assembly stressed that the internal review does not suggest any defect or irregularity in the exercise of its legislative authority.
“The review is confined to institutional processes and procedures and does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either Chamber,” the statement clarified.
It also reaffirmed its commitment to constitutionalism, separation of powers, and due process, stating that any procedural lapses discovered would be handled within the bounds of the law.
The development comes on the heels of calls by Senator Ali Ndume and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) urging President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed tax laws scheduled to take effect in January 2026.
Ndume, in a statement issued on Wednesday, warned that the implementation should be delayed to allow for proper verification and investigation.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, had earlier warned that the controversy could erode trust in Nigeria’s legislative process.
“The integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process are at stake,” Osigwe said, calling for a transparent investigation.
Last week, a House of Representatives member, Abdussamad Dasuki, raised an alarm that the version of the laws gazetted differed from what was passed and sent to the President.
Civil society organisations and opposition politicians have since demanded clarity on how and when the alterations allegedly occurred.
Despite the rising concerns, the National Assembly leadership has urged Nigerians to remain calm and allow the legislative process to run its full course.
“The leadership of both Chambers remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility,” the statement concluded.