Oyedele Refutes Claims of Altered Tax Laws in Nigeria

The Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has rejected recent claims circulating in media and online that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax reform laws were secretly altered after passage by the National Assembly. Oyedele described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that versions of the tax laws being shared publicly do not represent official documents and should not be treated as authoritative.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Oyedele said that the actual harmonised bills certified by the Clerk of the National Assembly and sent to President Bola Tinubu for assent are not publicly available, making it impossible to compare them with the versions allegedly showing modifications. He emphasised that claims of discrepancies largely stem from unauthorised drafts or documents produced before the committee had completed its work. According to him, the circulating versions reported by some outlets are “fake” and have fueled unnecessary controversy.

The tax reform laws, signed by the President and set to take effect on January 1, 2026, aim to overhaul Nigeria’s outdated tax regime with the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. Opponents, including some lawmakers and civil society groups, have raised concerns and called for suspension or review of the rollout, arguing that alleged changes undermine legislative intent. Oyedele responded that any decision to suspend the reforms lies with the National Assembly and not the tax committee, and warned that delaying implementation could perpetuate burdensome taxes on low-income earners and small businesses.

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