N’Assembly Directs Release of Signed Tax Bills to Quell Gazetting Controversy

As Gov Ododo signs new Kogi Tax Reform Act into law  

  

Author by Sunday Aborisade in Abuja and Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The National Assembly has directed the Clerk to release the tax reform bills signed by President Bola Tinubu, including the certificates of presidential assent, to the public for independent scrutiny. This comes amid widespread public concerns about alleged discrepancies between the versions passed by lawmakers and the versions published in the official gazette. 

The leadership of the National Assembly has directed that copies of the tax bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu be released to the public. This move aims to address widespread public concern over discrepancies between the versions passed by lawmakers and versions that have been gazetted. 

The released documents will include the bills with certificate pages of presidential assent, so Nigerians can independently verify their authenticity and ensure transparency in the legislative process. 

The National Assembly also announced plans to review internal procedures for transmitting and gazetting bills to prevent similar controversies in the future.

Gov. Ododo Signs Kogi Tax Reform Act into Law

In Kogi State, Governor Usman Ododo has signed the state’s Tax Reform Act into law, domestically aligning with the federal Tax Reform framework that takes effect this year. 

The new Kogi tax laws, which became effective from January 1, 2026, are intended to enhance revenue generation and streamline tax administration at the state level, while also incorporating elements of the broader national reforms. 

 Context on Federal Tax Law Implementation

Despite controversy over the gazetted text, President Tinubu has affirmed that the new tax laws will take effect as planned on January 1, 2026, and insisted there’s no valid reason to delay them.

Critics had raised issues that the published versions in the official gazette may differ from what was voted on in the National Assembly, prompting calls for clarification and transparency.

The National Assembly’s directive to release the signed tax bills is meant to quell public controversy about how the tax reform acts were gazetted. Meanwhile, Kogi State has adopted its own tax reform legislation consistent with the national changes, and the nationwide tax overhaul remains on track to start from January 1, 2026. 

• The leadership says the move responds to growing calls for greater transparency and accountability in the legislative process. Interested persons can now apply for Certified True Copies of the bills by contacting the Office of the Clerk. 

• The National Assembly also noted that while the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the Federal Government Printing Press is responsible for official publication, and procedures will be reviewed to prevent similar controversies in the future. 

• The action follows public debate and confusion around the new tax legislation, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide from January 1, 2026, as part of broade.