Opposition to the implementation of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws intensified on Monday as the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) called for an immediate suspension of the rollout. At the same time, a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered accelerated hearing in a suit challenging the authenticity of the laws and their planned commencement on January 1, 2026.
The Minority Caucus expressed concern over claims that the versions of the tax laws gazetted by the Federal Government differ materially from those passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu. According to the caucus, enforcing such altered laws would constitute a breach of the Constitution.
The controversy began two weeks ago when Abdussamad Dasuki, a Peoples Democratic Party lawmaker representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, told the House during plenary that the tax Acts passed by lawmakers were not the same as the copies later gazetted by the Federal Government. He alleged that the changes were made without parliamentary approval, warning that such actions violate the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Following Dasuki’s motion, the House set up a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Muktar Betara, the lawmaker representing Borno State, to investigate the allegations and report back for further legislative action.
In a joint statement signed by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, Minority Whip Ali Isa, Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Madaki and Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, the caucus said suspending the implementation of the tax laws was necessary to allow the committee to complete its investigation.
The lawmakers noted that while controversies surrounding legislation are not unusual, the seriousness of the current allegations—bordering on unlawful alterations to duly passed laws—was deeply troubling. They stressed that the National Assembly remains the legitimate custodian of all laws passed and explained that the gazetting process begins with the Clerk of the National Assembly transmitting authenticated copies to the appropriate government agencies.
The caucus urged Nigerians to disregard any purported tax laws lacking the signatures of the Clerk of the National Assembly and the President, warning that such documents neither originated from the legislature nor reflect what was actually passed. It described any attempt to enforce altered laws as an attack on the independence and constitutional role of the National Assembly and called on the Federal Government to halt implementation pending the outcome of the investigation.
The opposition stance was reinforced by NANS, which threatened nationwide protests if the Federal Government proceeds with implementation of the Tax Reform Law from January 1, 2026. In a statement signed by its National President, Olushola Oladoja, the students’ body demanded immediate suspension of the law, citing inadequate public education and the ongoing National Assembly probe.
NANS warned that implementing a law whose authenticity is under investigation was unacceptable and said failure to suspend it by January 14, 2026, would trigger coordinated nationwide protests. The group also criticised the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for what it described as a failure to conduct an inclusive, nationwide sensitisation campaign, faulting reliance on selected social media influencers as elitist and disconnected from the realities of most Nigerians.
Despite mounting pressure, the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to the January 1, 2026 commencement date. After a meeting with President Tinubu, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act remained on schedule.
Meanwhile, the legal challenge entered the courts on Monday as the FCT High Court granted accelerated hearing in a suit seeking to stop implementation of the 2025 Tax Acts. The court, however, declined to issue an interim injunction restraining the Federal Government from enforcing the laws.
The suit, filed by the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees, challenges alleged discrepancies in the tax laws and their proposed implementation date. The defendants include the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the National Assembly.
Ruling on an ex parte motion, Justice Bello Kawu ordered accelerated hearing of the substantive suit and granted permission for substituted service on the defendants but directed that all parties be put on notice. He adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice to Wednesday, December 31.
As tensions rise, the dispute between the legislature, civil groups, students and the executive highlights growing uncertainty over Nigeria’s most sweeping tax reforms in decades, with both political and judicial decisions now set to determine their future.
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