By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, with agency report
The leadership of the National Assembly has taken decisive steps to calm public tension over the recently passed Tax Acts, directing the immediate public release of the Bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
The move follows widespread concerns and allegations of discrepancies between the Votes and Proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of the Tax legislation.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, the legislature said the decision was informed by sustained public debate and mounting calls for transparency in the law-making process.
It disclosed that the Clerk to the National Assembly has been instructed to make copies of the transmitted Tax Bills, including the certificate pages bearing presidential assent, available to enable Nigerians to verify the authenticity of the documents independently.
The Director of Information signed the statement, Mr Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, on behalf of the Clerk to the National Assembly.
It clarified that while public interest in the Tax Acts has been significant, only a limited number of individuals and organisations have formally applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised Bills.
According to the National Assembly, all requests received so far have been fully processed. At the same time, other interested parties were advised to apply directly to the Office of the Clerk, clearly indicating the specific Bills required and paying the prescribed fees.
The legislature further explained that the Clerk is currently working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure the publication of the duly certified and assented Acts in line with statutory provisions.
It added that the official gazetted versions of the Tax Acts are expected to be ready on or before January 1, 2026.
The statement noted that the Clerk initiated the gazetting process.
It added that the responsibility for printing and final publication of Acts lies solely with the Federal Government Printing Press.
To forestall a recurrence of similar controversies, the leadership of the National Assembly announced a review of its internal procedures relating to the transmission and gazetting of Bills.
It revealed that in the future, all Bills forwarded for presidential assent would be transmitted through designated Presidential Liaison Officers.
In addition, it stated that no request for the gazetting of any Act of the National Assembly would be entertained by the Federal Government Printing Press unless formally initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or an authorised representative.
The National Assembly commended Nigerians for their sustained interest and constructive engagement in legislative affairs, describing it as vital to strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the law-making process.
*Tax resistance driven by rich Nigerians, says ex-CITN president
Former President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Mrs Gladys Simplice, has urged Nigerians to embrace the new tax regime, blaming opposition to the reforms on wealthy individuals resisting higher tax compliance.
Simplice told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday that the biggest challenge confronting the reforms was not the provisions of the law but a “mindset issue” among taxpayers.
Implementation of the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, two of the four laws collectively known as the 2026 tax reforms, has begun nationwide.
She said Nigerians must begin to see taxation as a civic responsibility rather than a burden, stressing that sustainable national development depends mainly on efficient tax collection.
“Taxes are what build nations. We cannot continue to complain about poor infrastructure and still resist the very instrument used to fix it,” Simplice said.
She said the reforms represent a significant shift in the nation’s tax system by protecting low-income earners, who she noted have historically borne a disproportionate share of the tax burden.
She explained that globally, taxation is a key driver of development.
Still, in Nigeria, the loudest criticism came from high-income earners who feared the new laws would compel them to pay their true tax obligations.
“High-income earners are instigating others to attack the law because it will affect them. They have been cheating us for decades,” she said.
Simplice described the reforms as long overdue, noting that they are designed to promote fairness, support small businesses and ease the burden on low-income Nigerians.
She said the tax framework is progressive, explaining that individuals earning up to N300,000 annually are exempt from tax, while small businesses with turnovers below N100 million will no longer face multiple taxation.
According to her, this approach ensures equity and encourages compliance across all income levels.
Simplice also highlighted the introduction of a self-assessment system, noting that improved data integration across federal and state governments would expose under-declaration.
“There is no hiding place anymore. You can assess yourself, but the government will still verify,” she said.
She added that improved information technology capacity at revenue offices has strengthened enforcement, citing Lagos State’s rollout of synchronised taxpayer identification numbers as a practical example.
Simplice urged Nigerians to give the reforms time to yield results, noting that resistance to change was common but often subsided once benefits became visible.
“People always resist change, but with time, they begin to see the benefits. These laws are not cast in iron. Errors can be corrected. Let us embrace this new era,” she said.
She also advised the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of tax revenues, stressing that public trust depends on how collected funds are utilised.
“As we gather this money, it must be used for the people and not stolen,” she said.
