The National Assembly has initiated a formal review of the legislative processes surrounding four tax reform laws, assuring the public that any potential irregularities are being addressed within constitutional bounds. The move comes in response to widespread commentary on discrepancies in the bills’ harmonization, presidential assent, and official publication.
In a statement on Friday by Rep. Akin Rotimi,
House Spokesman / Chairman,
House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, the House detailed its position on the issues plaguing the 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.
“Recent public commentary has focused on the legislative process relating to the passage, presidential assent, and publication in the Official Gazette of the Federal Government of the following Acts,” the statement read, listing the four pieces of legislation.
The commentary, according to the House, “has raised issues concerning the harmonisation of Bills passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, the documentation transmitted for Presidential assent, and the versions of the Acts subsequently published in the Official Gazette.”
To tackle these concerns, the House emphasized that it is handling the matter “strictly within the constitutional and statutory remit of the National Assembly.”
“Only last week, the House constituted a seven-man Ad Hoc Committee on the matter after an Honourable Member raised it under a Point of Order (Privileges). The Ad Hoc Committee, alongside other relevant Committees of the National Assembly, working in collaboration with the Management of 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 review, the House clarified, encompasses “a careful examination of any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established,” and 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 a key directive aimed at ensuring accuracy, the leadership of the National Assembly has taken decisive administrative steps. “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,” the statement explained.
It added that “this administrative step is intended solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the legislative decisions of the National Assembly.”
The House was careful to note the scope of the review, stating: “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.”
Reaffirming its dedication to governance principles, the House declared: “The House of Representatives, under the leadership of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, remains firmly committed to the principles of constitutionalism, separation of powers, due process, and the supremacy of the rule of law. Where procedural or administrative refinements are identified, appropriate corrective measures will be taken in accordance with the law and established parliamentary conventions.”
The statement urged restraint from the public, advising: “Members of the public are respectfully urged to allow the National Assembly’s institutional processes to proceed without speculation or conjecture.” It further assured that “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,” promising that “further information will be provided as may be necessary.”
