Breaking Barriers: National Assembly Orders Certified Copies Of Tax Acts Made Public

The National Assembly has directed that Certified True Copies of the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts be made available to stakeholders and members of the public upon request.

The decision was announced in a statement released on Friday by the Senate Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, amid allegations that certain sections of the tax laws were altered after being passed by the legislature and signed into law by the President.

According to the statement, the leadership of the National Assembly has commenced an internal review of the claims, which question the harmonisation process between bills approved by both chambers and the versions later published in the Official Gazette.

“The leadership and management of the National Assembly are addressing these concerns strictly within their constitutional and statutory responsibilities,” the statement said.

The review covers the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

As part of efforts to promote transparency, the Clerk to the National Assembly has been instructed to work with relevant agencies to ensure the Acts are properly gazetted and that certified copies are issued to interested parties.

The statement clarified that the action is solely meant to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly, stressing that the review does not indicate any flaw or irregularity in the exercise of legislative authority.

It further reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to constitutionalism, separation of powers, and due process, noting that any procedural lapses identified would be addressed in line with the law.

The development follows calls by Senator Ali Ndume and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) urging President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the disputed tax laws, which are scheduled to take effect in January 2026.

In a statement on Wednesday, Senator Ndume advised that the implementation be delayed to allow for proper verification, while NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, warned that the controversy could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s legislative process.

Earlier, a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, raised concerns that the gazetted versions of the laws differed from those passed by the legislature and transmitted to the President. Since then, civil society groups and opposition figures have called for clarity on how the alleged alterations occurred.

Despite the growing concerns, the National Assembly has urged Nigerians to remain calm, assuring that the matter is being handled transparently.

“The leadership of both chambers remains committed to accountability, transparency, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional duties,” the statement concluded.