Tax reform laws: Rep raises alarm over discrepancies in gazetted copy

Barely two weeks to January 2026 when the implementation of the new tax laws is expected to commence House of Reps members are picking holes in the official gazette of the new law. The holes are alleged discrepancies between the newly gazetted tax reform laws and the versions passed by the National Assembly.

Dasuki raised the observed lapses in the gazette under a matter of privilege on the floor of the House on Wednesday. According to him, his review of the gazetted copies of the tax laws revealed material differences from what was debated, harmonised, and approved by the House of Representatives and the Senate.

According to Dasuki, he compared the vote and proceedings of the House, the Senate’s records, and the harmonised versions with the gazetted copies currently in circulation.

“I took my time in the last three days to look at the gazetted pass copy, the vote and proceedings of the House of Representatives, and also went an extra mile to look at the vote and proceedings of the Senate, of what was harmonised. 
 
“Mr. Speaker, honourable colleagues, what I passed on this floor is not what is gazette,” he argued.

The lawmaker said his concern was not being raised through a formal motion but as a constitutional issue requiring urgent legislative scrutiny.

He called on the Speaker to ensure that all relevant documents, including the harmonised bills, the versions passed by both chambers, and the gazetted laws, are laid before the Committee of the Whole.
The lawmaker, however, did not mention any specific changes made to the laws before it was gazetted.

Dasuki urged the House to examine the documents collectively to identify the discrepancies and take corrective action where necessary. “This is a breach of the Constitution, this is a breach of our laws, and this should not be taken by this honourable House,” he said, warning that allowing the situation to stand could undermine legislative authority and due process.

In response, the Speaker acknowledged the observation and assured the House that the matter would be addressed. The disputed laws form part of a broad tax reform package recently passed by the National Assembly and signed into law, with implementation scheduled to begin in on January 1 2026.

The reforms are aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s tax framework, reducing the multiplicity of taxes, and aligning fiscal policy with ongoing economic reforms.