The National Assembly has announced fresh measures to address public concerns over alleged discrepancies in recently enacted tax laws, pledging to release certified copies of the bills signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Information, Bullah Bi-Allah, said the management of the National Assembly had directed the Clerk to make available the transmitted tax bills, including their certificate pages, to enable Nigerians verify the authenticity of the documents.
According to him, the move followed growing public debate over claims that the versions of the tax bills passed by the legislature differed from those later gazetted and circulated to the public.
“The management has taken note of the allegations regarding discrepancies between the votes and proceedings of the National Assembly and the gazetted versions of the tax Acts,” Bi-Allah said, adding that releasing the Certified True Copies (CTCs) would promote transparency and public confidence in the legislative process.
He noted, however, that despite heightened public interest, only a limited number of individuals had formally requested the certified copies of the harmonised bills, stressing that all such requests had been duly processed.
Bi-Allah further disclosed that the Clerk of the National Assembly was working closely with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in line with statutory requirements, adding that the gazettes were expected to be ready on Thursday.
While explaining institutional responsibilities, he said that although the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the legal mandate for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press.
As part of broader reforms, the National Assembly said it would review procedures governing the transmission of bills for presidential assent and the subsequent gazetting of laws. Under the new framework, all bills forwarded for assent will be routed through presidential liaison officers.
In addition, Bi-Allah said no request for the gazetting of any Act of the National Assembly would henceforth be entertained by the printing press unless formally initiated by the Clerk or an authorised representative.
“The National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process,” the statement added.
President Tinubu had on June 26, 2025, signed four major tax-related laws aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s revenue framework. The reforms include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, the National Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act.
Background
The controversy was triggered after Abdulsamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives, alleged that the tax laws passed by the National Assembly were materially different from the versions later gazetted.
Dasuki told the House that after comparing copies of the bills passed by lawmakers with the gazetted versions, he identified discrepancies between the two documents.
In response, the House constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged inconsistencies and subsequently ordered the re-gazetting of the tax laws, although the committee is yet to submit its report.
Despite the ongoing probe, President Tinubu reaffirmed on Tuesday that implementation of the new tax laws would commence on January 1, as earlier scheduled.
He acknowledged public discourse surrounding the alleged alterations but maintained that no substantive issue had been established to justify halting the reform process.
“No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process. Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions, not through premature, reactive measures,” the president said.
He assured that the Presidency would continue to work with the National Assembly to ensure any identified issues are swiftly resolved, while upholding due process and the integrity of enacted laws.
