Unveiling Legislative Integrity: Certified Tax Reform Acts Publicly Released
In a move aimed at quelling public apprehension and clarifying recent legislative developments, the House of Representatives has officially released certified true copies of four pivotal tax reform Acts. These landmark pieces of legislation, having received the President’s assent, are now accessible to the public, addressing concerns over purported alterations and the circulation of unverified versions.
The Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, underscored the National Assembly’s unwavering commitment to transparency and the sanctity of legislative records. He assured the nation that the institution operates on a foundation of clearly defined rules, established precedents, robust archival systems, and meticulous verification processes, all designed to safeguard the authenticity of every law enacted.
Ensuring Authenticity and Public Trust
Following widespread public unease and allegations of discrepancies, Speaker Abbas, in collaboration with the Senate President, H.E. Senator Godswill Akpabio, mandated the immediate dissemination of the Certified True Copies (CTCs) of these crucial Acts. This directive included the official endorsement and assent pages, signed by His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The decision to publicly release these documents stems from a proactive response to a situation where inconsistent versions of the tax laws were found to be in circulation. The House’s attention was drawn to these discrepancies after a diligent member identified and formally reported the issue on a point of privilege. In a swift and decisive action, the Speaker initiated an internal verification process and ordered the immediate release of the certified Acts to dispel any doubts, restore clarity, and uphold the integrity of the legislative record.
The Pillars of Nigeria’s Tax Reform Architecture
These four Acts represent a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s tax framework, designed to modernize revenue administration, enhance compliance, streamline operations, eliminate redundancy, and bolster fiscal coordination across the nation. The released legislation includes:
- The Nigeria Tax Act, 2025: This foundational Act likely sets out the broad principles and framework for taxation within Nigeria.
- The Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025: This Act is expected to detail the procedures, mechanisms, and responsibilities involved in the administration of tax laws.
- The National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025: This legislation is anticipated to establish a dedicated national revenue service, outlining its mandate, structure, and functions.
- The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025: This Act likely provides for the creation of a joint revenue board, fostering collaboration and coordination in revenue collection and management.
Upholding Legislative Principles
Speaker Abbas has consistently emphasized that the tax reform process has been guided by principles of clarity, fairness, and strict adherence to constitutional and parliamentary procedures. From the initial stages of stakeholder consultations and committee reviews to rigorous clause-by-clause examinations and robust plenary debates, his leadership has been instrumental in ensuring that these reforms are evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with Nigeria’s fiscal realities and developmental aspirations.
“The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory,” the Speaker was quoted as saying. “Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway. Once a law is passed and assented to, its integrity is preserved through certification and custody by the legislature. There is no ambiguity about what constitutes the law.”
A Call for Vigilance and Adherence
The House of Representatives has pledged to remain vigilant and proactive in defending the integrity of its legislative work. It clarifies that only the versions of the four tax Acts certified and released by the National Assembly are authentic and authoritative. Members of the public, institutions, professionals, and all stakeholders are strongly advised to disregard any other documents or versions circulating that have not been officially certified. Such uncertified materials do not form part of the official legislative record.
To further ensure accuracy and uniformity, the Clerk to the National Assembly has concluded the process of aligning the duly passed, assented to, and certified Acts with the Federal Government Printing Press. Hard copies of these certified tax Acts have also been printed and are being circulated to all Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators, and are made available to the public, guaranteeing institutional clarity, uniform reference, and legislative certainty.
Investigating Discrepancies and Strengthening Controls
Furthermore, the House affirms that the Ad-Hoc Committee, chaired by Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara, continues its work as mandated. The committee is tasked with thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the circulation of unauthorized versions of the tax Acts. Their mandate also includes recommending measures to prevent future occurrences and to preserve the authenticity and reliability of parliamentary records.
The House of Representatives, under the leadership of Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, reiterates its deep-seated commitment to constitutionalism, the rule of law, transparency, and accountable governance. The institution will persist in strengthening its internal controls, upholding institutional discipline, and diligently protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s legislative process for the collective benefit of all Nigerians.
