FG Confirms January 1, 2026 Rollout of Tax Reform Laws Despite Allegations

FG Confirms January 1, 2026 Rollout of Tax Reform Laws Despite Allegations

The Federal Government has confirmed that it will proceed with the implementation of the remaining two tax reform laws on January 1, 2026, despite controversy over alleged alterations, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, said.

Oyedele spoke to journalists after a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos, where he led a delegation including the Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji, and the Chairman of the National Tax Policy Implementation Committee, Joseph Tegbe.

He noted that two of the four landmark tax reform laws signed earlier this year are already in force—the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and the Joint Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, effective June 26, 2025. The remaining two laws, the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026.

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Oyedele emphasized that the timeline remains unchanged, stressing that the reforms are pro-people measures designed to reduce the tax burden on ordinary Nigerians and stimulate economic growth.

“Bottom 98 per cent of workers will see either no PAYE tax or lower taxes. Small businesses, 97 per cent of them, will be exempted from Corporate Income Tax, VAT, and Withholding Tax, while large businesses will experience a reduction in tax obligations,” Oyedele explained.

He highlighted that the staggered rollout of the laws was intentional, allowing newly created institutions like the Office of the Tax Ombudsman to become operational ahead of full implementation. The focus, he said, is on long-term economic growth and improved tax compliance, rather than immediate revenue generation.

Responding to questions about alleged alterations to the laws, Oyedele said the Federal Government welcomes the National Assembly’s review and remains open to legislative engagement if necessary.

In a related statement, the National Assembly affirmed that it is addressing public concerns over the legislative process and the publication of the four tax laws in the Official Gazette strictly within its constitutional and statutory mandate. The management said an internal review is underway to ensure clarity, accuracy, and sanctity of the legislative record, stressing that the process does not imply any defect in legislative authority.

The National Assembly appealed for public restraint, reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and due process while assuring stakeholders that further information will be provided as necessary.

The tax reforms are expected to benefit millions of Nigerian workers and small businesses, promote fairness in the tax system, and contribute to sustainable public finances in the long term.

FG Confirms January 1, 2026 Rollout of Tax Reform Laws Despite Allegations