In a decisive move to address growing public concern, the House of Representatives has officially released the certified true copies (CTCs) of four major tax reform Acts recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This action comes amid allegations of discrepancies and the circulation of unauthorised versions of the legislation.
Addressing Allegations of Discrepancies
The decision to release the documents was ordered by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio. It follows a point of privilege raised on the floor of the House by a member, Abdulsamad Dasuki, who alleged that the versions of the tax laws gazetted and made public did not match what lawmakers had debated and approved. House spokesman Akin Rotimi confirmed the release in a statement, noting it was prompted by reports of multiple conflicting versions in circulation.
The four Acts, central to Nigeria's new tax framework, are the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025. These laws were passed by the House in February after extensive debates and were later harmonised with the Senate's version before being signed by President Tinubu on 26 June.
Commitment to Transparency and Legislative Integrity
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen emphasised that the National Assembly is an institution built on records and procedure. "Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway," he stated. He clarified that the only authentic versions of the Acts are those certified and released by the legislature, with the Clerk to the National Assembly aligning them with the Federal Government Printing Press for accuracy.
To prevent future occurrences, the House affirmed that the work of an Ad-Hoc Committee chaired by Muktar Aliyu Betara continues. This committee is mandated to investigate the circumstances behind the unauthorised circulation and recommend preventive measures.
Moving Forward with Fiscal Reforms
The newly released laws are designed to modernise Nigeria's revenue administration, improve tax compliance, eliminate duplication, and enhance fiscal coordination. The House, through its spokesman, reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, and transparent governance. It pledged to continue strengthening internal controls to protect the integrity of the legislative process for all Nigerians.
