The leadership of the National Assembly has directed the immediate release of the transmitted Tax Bills signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative proceedings and the gazetted versions of the recently passed Tax Acts.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the National Assembly said the decision was taken in response to growing public debate and calls for greater transparency surrounding the new tax laws.
The statement, signed by the Director of Information, Mr. Bullah Bi-Allah, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly, said copies of the transmitted bills — including certificate pages bearing presidential assent — would be made available to enable Nigerians independently verify their authenticity.
Access to Certified Tax Bills Clarified
The legislature disclosed that although public interest in the Tax Acts has been high, only a limited number of individuals and organisations had formally applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised bills.
It confirmed that all requests received so far have been processed, while advising other interested parties to apply directly to the Office of the Clerk, specifying the required bills and paying the prescribed fees.
The National Assembly added that the Clerk was working with the Federal Government Printing Press to complete the publication of the duly certified Acts, noting that the official gazetted versions were expected to be ready on or before January 1, 2026.
While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the legislature clarified that final printing and publication remain the sole responsibility of the Government Printing Press.
New Safeguards to Prevent Future Disputes
To prevent similar controversies, the National Assembly announced a review of its internal procedures on bill transmission and gazetting.
Going forward, all bills forwarded for presidential assent will be routed through designated Presidential Liaison Officers, while the Government Printing Press will only process gazetting requests formally initiated by the Clerk of the National Assembly or authorised representatives.
The legislature commended Nigerians for sustained public engagement, describing it as essential to strengthening transparency, accountability, and professionalism in lawmaking.
Kogi State Aligns With Federal Tax Reforms
In a related development, Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo has signed two key revenue laws into effect from January 1, 2026, aligning the state with the federal government’s Nigeria Tax Reform Act.
The laws include the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (Establishment) Law, 2025, and the Kogi State Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2025, effectively domesticating the new tax regime at the state level.
The legislation provides tax exemptions for low-income earners, with individuals earning below ₦800,000 annually exempted from tax.
According to the state government, the reforms are designed to simplify tax processes, reduce compliance costs, attract investment, and promote transparency through technology-driven tax administration, while supporting economic growth without increasing tax burdens.