NBA Calls For Suspension Of Tax Reform Acts Over Alleged Alteration

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for suspension of the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts.

This comes following claims that some parts of the laws were changed after they were approved by the National Assembly.

The concern came to light last week when Abdulsamad Dasuki, a lawmaker representing Sokoto in the House of Representatives, alleged that the versions of the tax laws signed into effect were not the same as those passed by lawmakers.

Reacting to the allegation, the NBA said the issue raises serious questions about openness and trust in Nigeria’s lawmaking process.

In a statement on Tuesday by its president, Afam Osigwe, the association demanded a full and transparent investigation to explain how the laws were enacted.

“The development raises grave concerns about the integrity, transparency, and credibility of Nigeria’s legislative process” and called for “a comprehensive, open, and transparent investigation be conducted to clarify the circumstances surrounding the enactment of the laws.”

“Until these issues are fully examined and resolved, all plans for the implementation of the Tax Reform Acts should be immediately suspended,” the NBA said.

Osigwe said the allegations “strike at the very heart of constitutional governance and call into question the procedural sanctity that must attend lawmaking in a democratic society”.

The NBA also cautioned that the controversy could have economic implications, noting that such “legal and policy uncertainty of this magnitude has far-reaching consequences.

“It unsettles the business environment, erodes investor confidence, and creates unpredictability for individuals, businesses, and institutions required to comply with the law.”

President Bola Tinubu signed four tax reform bills into law in June after months of debate.

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.

Although the Federal Government plans to begin enforcing the laws in January 2026, the decision has sparked widespread debate.

Several opposition figures and groups, including Labour Party leader Peter Obi and the African Democratic Party (ADC), have also urged the government to suspend implementation.

Despite the criticism, the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has defended the reforms, saying they do not introduce entirely new laws.

The Federal Government maintained that the reforms will simplify the tax system, reduce multiple taxation, and improve productivity in the country.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announced that the National Identification Number (NIN) issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will now serve as a Tax Identification Number (Tax ID) for Nigerians.