The Presidency has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s new tax laws will commence on January 1, 2026, as scheduled, despite public debates surrounding some provisions of the reforms.
In a State House press statement issued on Tuesday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said the tax reforms, including those that came into effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts slated for implementation in 2026, remain firmly on course.
President Tinubu described the reforms as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to establish a fair, competitive and resilient fiscal foundation for the country. He stressed that the new tax laws are not intended to increase the tax burden on citizens, but to achieve a structural reset, promote harmonisation across the tax system and strengthen the social contract while protecting human dignity.
The President urged all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, noting that the reform process has now entered a critical delivery stage.
Addressing concerns and public discourse about alleged amendments to some provisions of the newly enacted laws, Tinubu stated that no substantial issues have been identified that would justify halting or disrupting the reform agenda. He cautioned against what he described as premature and reactive actions, adding that trust in governance is built over time through sound decision-making.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to due process and the integrity of existing laws, pledging continued collaboration with the National Assembly to promptly address any issues that may arise during implementation.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would continue to act in the overriding public interest to ensure a tax system that supports economic prosperity, fairness and shared responsibility.
The statement was signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and dated December 30, 2025.
