‘Nigerians Must Pay Tax, No Going Back’: Tinubu Insist New Tax Law Will Take Effect January 1

• President Bola Tinubu has ruled out any postponement of Nigeria’s new tax laws, insisting that the reforms will commence on January 1, 2026, despite growing controversy over alleged alterations to the gazetted version.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has confirmed that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, rejecting calls for suspension or delay amid controversy over alleged discrepancies in the gazetted copy.

In a statement signed by the President on Tuesday, Tinubu said all recently enacted tax reforms—including provisions that came into force on June 26, 2025—remain firmly on course. He described the reforms as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reset Nigeria’s fiscal framework and build a fair, competitive, and resilient tax system.

The President stressed that the new laws were not designed to impose additional burdens on Nigerians but to harmonise the tax structure, improve efficiency, and strengthen the social contract between the government and citizens while safeguarding their dignity.

“The implementation phase is now firmly in the delivery stage,” Tinubu said, urging stakeholders across the public and private sectors to support the rollout of the reforms.

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Addressing reports suggesting amendments or reversals, the President said no substantial issues had been identified that would warrant disrupting the reform process. He cautioned against what he described as “premature and reactive decisions,” noting that public trust in governance is built through consistency and adherence to due process.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the sanctity of laws duly passed and assented to, adding that the Presidency would continue engaging with the National Assembly to ensure any concerns arising during implementation are addressed promptly.

The President assured Nigerians that the Federal Government remains focused on acting in the public interest and delivering a tax system that promotes prosperity, fairness, and shared responsibility.

The statement comes amid controversy sparked by a motion raised last week by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsammad Dasuki (Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State), who alleged that the gazetted version of the tax laws differed from what lawmakers debated and passed.

Following the allegation, the House of Representatives constituted a seven-member ad-hoc committee to investigate the alleged discrepancies between the passed bills and the gazetted versions.

The development has led to calls from some stakeholders for the suspension of the January 1 commencement date, calls the Presidency has now firmly rejected.