N’assembly to work with relevant MDAs to re-gazette tax laws

The leadership of the senate and house of representatives has directed Kamoru Ogunlana, clerk to the national assembly, to work with relevant agencies in the executive branch in a bid to re-gazette the tax laws. 

Abdussamad Dasuki, member of the lower legislative chamber, had alleged that there are differences between the tax reform laws passed by parliament and the gazetted copy available to the public.

The alleged alteration sparked public outrage, with some Nigerians calling for a suspension of the implementation of the laws.

The reformed tax law implementation has been scheduled to begin in January.

The tax laws are Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

In a statement, Akin Rotimi, spokesperson of the house of representatives, said the national assembly asked the clerk to also issue certified true copies of the versions passed by both chambers.

A gazette is an official government publication that formally publishes laws and other legal notices after they have been approved by the legislature and signed into law by the president.

The gazette serves as an authoritative public record and is relied on by government agencies, courts and the general public as evidence of the law in force.

He said the national assembly is “undertaking an institutional review to establish the sequence of events and to identify any factors that may have contributed to the circumstances surrounding the legislative and administrative handling of the Acts”.

“This includes a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established,” the statement reads.

“The review is being conducted in full conformity with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts Authentication Act, Cap. A4, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, the Standing Orders of both Chambers, and established parliamentary practice.

“In the course of this review, and in the interest of clarity, accuracy, and the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership of the National Assembly, under the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, has directed the Clerk to the National Assembly to re-gazette the Acts and issue Certified True Copies of the versions duly passed by both Chambers of the National Assembly.

“This administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.

“This review is strictly confined to institutional processes and procedures. It does not constitute, imply, or concede any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by the House of Representatives or the Senate.

“It is undertaken without prejudice to the powers, functions, or actions of any other arm or agency of government, and without prejudice to any rights, obligations, or legal processes arising under the Constitution or any other applicable law.

“Members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture.

“The leadership of the House of Representatives remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”