House Releases Certified Tinubu-Signed Tax Reform Acts

In recent days, many Nigerians—business owners, professionals, and everyday citizens—have been asking a simple but important question: Which version of the new tax laws is the real one? That question has now been clearly answered.

The House of Representatives has officially released the certified copies of four major tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The move follows public concerns that altered or unauthorised versions of the laws were circulating, creating confusion and doubt around Nigeria’s evolving tax framework.

Rather than allow uncertainty to linger, the House chose openness.

Why the House Took This Step

According to the leadership of the House, the decision to publish the Certified True Copies was driven by the need to protect public trust. When laws affect businesses, workers, and government revenue, clarity is not optional—it is essential.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, working with Senate President Godswill Akpabio, directed that the exact documents assented to by the President, including the endorsement and signature pages, be made available to the public. This ensured that Nigerians could see, verify, and rely on the same versions preserved in the National Assembly’s records.

This was not a routine announcement. It was a direct response to claims that some circulating documents did not reflect what lawmakers actually passed.

How the Issue Came to Light

The matter surfaced during plenary when a member of the House noticed inconsistencies between different versions of the tax laws already in circulation. Raising the issue on a point of privilege, the lawmaker called for immediate clarification.

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The House acted quickly. Internal checks were ordered, records were reviewed, and once verification was complete, the leadership approved public release of the certified Acts. This step helped restore confidence in the legislative process and reassured Nigerians that the institution still treats accuracy as non-negotiable.

What These Tax Laws Represent

The four Acts released form the backbone of Nigeria’s current tax reform agenda. They are:

• Nigeria Tax Act, 2025
• Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025
• National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025
• Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act, 2025

Together, they aim to modernise how taxes are administered, reduce overlap between agencies, improve compliance, and strengthen coordination between federal and state governments. For small businesses, startups, and investors, these reforms are meant to create a clearer, more predictable system—something Nigeria has long needed.

Leadership and Process Behind the Reforms

From the early stages, the House says the reforms went through extensive stakeholder consultations, committee scrutiny, clause-by-clause reviews, and detailed debates on the floor. This wasn’t rushed legislation.

Speaker Abbas consistently emphasised fairness, clarity, and strict adherence to constitutional procedure. That approach, according to the House, guided the bills from first reading to presidential assent.

Reassurance on Legislative Integrity

In addressing Nigerians, the Speaker reminded the public that the National Assembly operates as an institution of records. Every bill follows a traceable path, and once a law is passed and signed, its integrity is preserved through certification and custody.

Only the versions officially certified and released by the National Assembly, the House stressed, should be regarded as authentic. Any other document—no matter how convincing—does not form part of Nigeria’s legal record.

Ongoing Investigation and Safeguards

To prevent a repeat of this situation, an ad-hoc committee chaired by Rt. Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara is still investigating how unauthorised versions entered public circulation. The aim is not only to identify the source but also to strengthen internal controls and protect the credibility of parliamentary records going forward.

The Clerk to the National Assembly has also aligned the certified Acts with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure uniformity across all official copies, both digital and hard copy.

What People Are Commonly Asking

Are the tax laws valid?
Yes. The laws are valid and in force. The House has confirmed that the released certified copies are the exact versions signed by the President.

Which version should businesses and professionals rely on?
Only the certified Acts officially released by the National Assembly should be used for reference, compliance, or legal interpretation.

Expert Perspective

From a governance standpoint, this release is more than damage control. It reinforces a key principle of democracy: laws must be accessible, verifiable, and transparent. In an environment where misinformation spreads quickly, institutional clarity becomes a form of public service.

One Simple Takeaway

If a law affects your business, your taxes, or your rights, always rely on certified and officially released documents. In matters of policy, accuracy protects you as much as it protects the system.

For Nigeria’s tax reforms, the House has now put the official record in the open—where it belongs.

Source:https://www.nigeriastartupact.ng/house-releases-tinubu-signed-tax-reform-acts-amid-alteration-claims/