By Muhammad Mamman
The National Assembly has ordered the immediate release of a set of controversial tax bills that were reportedly signed but withheld from the public, sparking fresh debate over transparency in fiscal governance.
The directive, issued on Wednesday in Abuja, followed a closed-door session during which lawmakers raised concerns about the secrecy surrounding the documents and the potential implications for revenue administration and national planning.
Parliamentary sources said both chambers expressed dissatisfaction with delays by relevant government offices in making the bills available despite confirmation that they had been duly signed.
Lawmakers argued that withholding such critical fiscal instruments undermines public trust and contravenes established legislative procedures. They insisted that Nigerians have the right to know the content and impact of any tax reforms enacted on their behalf.
The leadership of the National Assembly subsequently mandated the relevant authorities to release the documents without further delay and ensure full disclosure in line with constitutional requirements.
As of the time of filing this report, the agencies involved had yet to formally respond to the directive.
