By RismadarVoice Media
December 30, 2025
Opposition to Nigeria’s newly enacted 2025 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 legislation, while a Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered accelerated hearing in a suit challenging the laws’ authenticity and proposed January 1, 2026 commencement.
The Minority Caucus raised concerns over alleged discrepancies between the versions of the tax laws gazetted by the Federal Government and those passed by the National Assembly and signed by President Bola Tinubu.
They warned that enforcing the laws under such circumstances could constitute a constitutional violation.
The controversy began two weeks ago when PDP lawmaker Abdussamad Dasuki informed the House that the copies gazetted by the government differed from those passed by lawmakers, alleging the alterations were made without parliamentary approval.
Following this revelation, the House set up a seven-member ad hoc committee, led by Muktar Betara, to investigate the matter.
In a statement, the Minority Caucus urged the Federal Government to suspend implementation until the committee completes its assignment, stressing that Nigerians are entitled to authentic copies of the laws they are expected to comply with.
Echoing the legislative opposition, NANS threatened nationwide protests if the Federal Government proceeds with implementation, citing a “glaring failure in public education” and lack of clarity on the tax reforms’ implications.
The students criticized the Federal Inland Revenue Service for relying on selective social media campaigns, describing the approach as “elitist and exclusionary.”
Despite mounting pressure, the Federal Government reaffirmed its January 1, 2026 commencement date. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, said the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act would be implemented as scheduled.
Meanwhile, the legal battle formally entered the courts.
On Monday, a FCT High Court granted accelerated hearing in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse Public Trustees, challenging alleged discrepancies in the tax laws.
While the court did not grant an interim injunction to halt enforcement, it directed that the defendants be put on notice, with hearings adjourned to December 31.
As the dispute unfolds, the clash between the legislature, students, civil society groups, and the executive highlights growing uncertainty over the rollout of Nigeria’s most significant tax reforms in decades, with both political and judicial outcomes set to determine their fate.
