Tinubu signs four landmark tax reform bills into law

President Bola Tinubu has officially signed into law four critical tax reform bills recently passed by the National Assembly, marking a major milestone in Nigeria’s fiscal and economic reform agenda.

The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, attended by top government officials. Among those present were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, the Majority Leaders of both chambers, and the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Finance.

Also in attendance were Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

The newly signed laws include:

• The Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business)
• The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill
• The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill
• The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill

These legislative reforms followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and are designed to overhaul Nigeria’s tax and revenue systems. The aim is to boost efficiency, reduce tax duplication, improve transparency, and ease compliance for individuals and businesses.

President Tinubu described the legislation as a bold step toward building a transparent, equitable, and modern tax regime. According to him, the reforms reflect his administration’s commitment to national development, investment promotion, and the reduction of multiple taxation burdens.

Breakdown of the Reforms:

• Nigeria Tax Bill: Consolidates the country’s diverse tax laws into a unified legal framework to simplify compliance and reduce duplication.
• Nigeria Tax Administration Bill: Establishes a harmonized structure for tax administration across federal, state, and local levels, promoting consistency and efficiency.
• Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill: Replaces the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establishes the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) with broader responsibilities, including non-tax revenue collection and improved transparency.
• Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill: Sets up a centralized body to coordinate tax policies across government tiers, while creating a Tax Appeal Tribunal and a Tax Ombudsman to enhance dispute resolution and protect taxpayer rights.

Observers have hailed the reforms as a transformative step for Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, expected to drive job creation, attract investment, improve service delivery, and decentralize revenue generation.

Speaking earlier on Thursday, President Tinubu emphasized that the new tax regime will unify Nigeria’s previously fragmented tax structure, eliminate redundancies, and reduce investor uncertainty.

On his verified X account (@officialABAT), the President declared:

“We are also building a framework for the Nigeria of tomorrow—leaner, fairer, and laser-focused on unlocking opportunities for all.”

He added that the reforms represent the first significant, pro-people tax cuts in decades, aimed at easing the burden on low-income earners, families, and small businesses.

“For too long, our tax system has been complex, inequitable, and weighed down by inefficiencies. That era ends today,” Tinubu said. “We are laying the foundation for a tax system that rewards productivity, protects the vulnerable, and drives sustainable growth.”