By Muhammad Mamman
Nigeria’s National Assembly has directed the immediate release of all tax bills already assented to by President Bola Tinubu, following rising concerns over discrepancies between the versions passed by lawmakers and those later published in official government gazettes.
The directive, issued on Tuesday after a joint review by the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Finance, aims to address mounting public unease and ensure transparency in the country’s fiscal reform process.
Lawmakers noted that several stakeholders, including businesses, tax professionals and civil society groups, had raised alarms about inconsistencies between the final legislative documents and the versions made public, warning that such discrepancies could undermine confidence in the government’s tax reforms.
Parliamentary leaders said the release of the authenticated, signed copies would provide clarity and restore trust in the legislative process. They stressed that ensuring alignment between passed bills and gazetted laws was essential for economic stability and legal certainty.
The National Assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening oversight mechanisms to prevent future discrepancies and to guarantee that fiscal laws reflect the exact provisions approved during plenary sessions.
Officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) are expected to collaborate with the legislature to ensure swift publication of the correct versions.
With major tax reforms expected to shape Nigeria’s revenue strategy in the coming years, the move is seen as a significant step towards safeguarding legislative integrity and improving policy transparency.
