THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for an immediate suspension of the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts following allegations that sections of the laws were altered in the gazetted version, differing from what was approved by the National Assembly.
The call followed a disclosure last week by a House of Representatives member from Sokoto State, Abdulsamad Dasuki, who raised concerns about discrepancies between the bills passed by lawmakers and the versions later gazetted.
In a statement issued today, the NBA described the development as raising “serious concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process.”
The association urged the government to institute a thorough, open, and transparent investigation to determine how the alleged changes occurred.
According to the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, all plans to implement the Tax Reform Acts should be put on hold until the issues are fully investigated and resolved.
He warned that the allegations strike at the core of constitutional governance and undermine the procedural standards required in a democratic lawmaking process.
The association also cautioned that the controversy could have significant economic consequences, noting that legal and policy uncertainty of this nature could destabilize the business environment, weaken investor confidence, and create uncertainty for individuals and organizations required to comply with the laws.
President Bola Tinubu signed four tax reform bills into law in June after months of debate and legislative scrutiny.
The laws include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
The Federal Government has slated their implementation for January 2026, a decision that has continued to generate public debate.
Several opposition figures and political groups, including Labour Party leader Peter Obi and the African Democratic Party (ADC), have also urged the Federal Government to halt implementation.
However, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has defended the reforms, insisting they do not introduce new taxes but aim to streamline Nigeria’s tax system.
The Federal Government maintains that the new tax laws are designed to overhaul the country’s fiscal framework, remove multiple and burdensome taxes, simplify compliance, and boost domestic productivity.