The National Assembly is poised to pass the long-anticipated harmonised tax reform bills, with a final decision expected by Tuesday, following the resolution of all previously disputed provisions.
This legislative breakthrough represents a major advancement in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise Nigeria’s tax regime and align it with global standards.
Hon. James Faleke, Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, announced the development on Sunday via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle. He confirmed that the joint Conference Committee—comprising members from both the Senate and the House of Representatives—had completed its review after thorough deliberations.
“The Conference Committee on the Tax Reform Bills has successfully concluded its assignment,” Faleke stated. “Every clause of the four bills was carefully examined, and all grey areas were addressed and resolved.”
Faleke, who led the House delegation during the harmonisation process, praised the dedication of committee members, noting that discussions often extended late into the night. The intensive review sessions reportedly ran through Thursday night, continued all day Friday, and concluded in the early hours of Saturday.
With the harmonisation process complete, the tax bills are now ready for final presentation before both chambers of the National Assembly and subsequent transmission to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent.
Faleke also expressed gratitude to the Senate delegation, particularly commending Senator Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, for his leadership.
“I want to especially appreciate Senator Sani Musa and the Senate Conference Committee for their commitment. I also sincerely thank my colleagues on the House Committee, whom I was privileged to lead, for their dedication to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The tax reform initiative, driven by the Tinubu administration, seeks to overhaul Nigeria’s outdated tax system. The reforms aim to enhance transparency, expand the tax base, increase government revenue, and support key national development goals.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio previously praised lawmakers for their efforts in advancing tax reforms that will bring Nigeria closer to international best practices.
“These executive bills are designed to transform and modernise Nigeria’s tax structure,” Akpabio said during a plenary session where a majority voice vote favored the bills.
Senator Sani Musa, who led the ad hoc committee on the tax reform initiative, emphasized that the reforms are structured to improve revenue generation and fund essential national priorities. These include defence infrastructure, cybersecurity, educational funding through TETFund, and welfare for military personnel engaged in peacekeeping operations.
The reform package also proposes the establishment of a tax ombudsman to resolve disputes and promote fairness in tax administration, along with a dedicated tax tribunal to streamline the resolution of tax-related grievances.
Senator Musa noted that the reforms span various tax categories, including Value Added Tax (VAT), development levies, and inheritance tax—some of which were previously excluded but reintroduced during harmonisation.
He expressed confidence in the positive impact of the reforms: “I am confident that Nigerians will see meaningful benefits from these changes. We also commend President Tinubu for ensuring a fair and open legislative process.”
Once passed and signed into law, the harmonised tax bills are expected to lay the groundwork for a more equitable, transparent, and development-oriented tax system in Nigeria.
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