President Bola Tinubu is certain that his administration will implement Nigeria’s landmark tax reforms as scheduled on January 1, 2026, despite growing opposition and allegations of legislative irregularities.
In a statement personally signed on Tuesday and released by the State House, Tinubu described the reforms as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to rebuild the nation’s fiscal foundation.
“The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining Acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned,” the President declared. “These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for our country.”
Tinubu maintained that the laws are not designed to raise taxes but to promote structural harmonization, uphold dignity, and strengthen the social contract. He urged all stakeholders to support what he termed the “delivery stage” of the implementation process.
The announcement comes amid sustained criticism from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Peoples Democratic Party, who have condemned the move as hasty and insensitive, particularly in light of allegations that the bills passed by the National Assembly were altered before being signed into law.
The four statutes: the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act, represent the most comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax framework in decades. They aim to increase government revenue, improve the business environment, and streamline tax administration across federal and state levels.
