The House of Representatives has moved to allay public concerns over the legislative handling of Nigeria’s 2025 tax reform laws, assuring Nigerians that the matter is being addressed strictly in line with constitutional and statutory provisions.
In a statement issued on Friday by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, the Green Chamber disclosed that it has commenced an institutional review following controversies surrounding the passage, presidential assent, and subsequent publication in the Official Gazette of four major tax legislations. The affected laws are the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.
The House noted that recent public discourse has raised concerns about the harmonization of versions passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, the documents transmitted for presidential assent, and the texts eventually gazetted by the Federal Government.
To address the issues, the House revealed that it constituted a seven-member Ad Hoc Committee last week after a lawmaker raised the matter under a Point of Order (Privileges) during plenary. According to the statement, the committee is working with relevant standing committees and the management of the National Assembly to establish a clear sequence of events.
“The institutional review is aimed at identifying any lapses, irregularities, or external interferences, should any be established, in the legislative and administrative handling of the Acts,” the statement said.
It stressed that the process is being conducted in strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Acts Authentication Act, the Standing Orders of both chambers, and established parliamentary practice.
As part of steps to safeguard the integrity of the legislative record, the leadership of the National Assembly 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. The directive was jointly issued under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
“The re-gazetting exercise is an administrative step meant solely to authenticate and accurately reflect the decisions of the National Assembly, and not an admission of any legislative defect,” the statement clarified.
The House further explained that the review does not imply any defect in the exercise of legislative authority by either chamber and is without prejudice to the powers of other arms of government or ongoing legal processes.
Reaffirming its commitment to constitutionalism, separation of powers, and the rule of law, the House said appropriate corrective measures would be taken if procedural or administrative refinements are identified. It also appealed to the public to refrain from speculation while the review is ongoing, pledging transparency and accountability throughout the process.
“The House of Representatives remains committed to the faithful discharge of its constitutional responsibility as custodian of the legislative authority of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.
