ECONOMY
National Assembly Orders Immediate Release of Tinubu-Signed Tax Bills to Quell Discrepancy Concerns, Vows Full Transparency in Gazetting Process
The National Assembly has directed the Clerk of the legislature to release the transmitted tax reform bills duly signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, following growing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between the National Assembly’s votes and proceedings and the versions of the tax laws recently published in the official gazette.
The directive was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Director of Information of the National Assembly, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah.
According to the statement, the leadership of the federal legislature took the decision in response to widespread public calls for openness and clarity surrounding the newly enacted tax laws.
The National Assembly explained that the documents to be released would include the certificate pages of the bills, a move aimed at enabling members of the public to independently verify the authenticity and accuracy of the laws as passed by the legislature and assented to by the President.
While acknowledging the heightened public interest generated by the tax reforms, the leadership noted that only a limited number of individuals had formally applied for certified true copies of the harmonised bills. It, however, emphasized that all such requests received so far had been fully processed in line with established procedures.
The statement further clarified that members of the public who wish to obtain copies of the bills may apply directly to the Clerk of the National Assembly, clearly indicate the specific bills required, and pay the prescribed statutory fees.
Providing further insight into the gazetting process, the statement said:
“The Clerk is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in compliance with the law. These Gazettes are expected to be ready on or before 1 January 2026.
“While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press. To strengthen institutional processes, the National Assembly is reviewing procedures for the transmission and gazetting of Bills.
“Henceforth, all Bills for Presidential assent will be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, and no request for gazetting an act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the Printing Press unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorized representative.
“The National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability, and professionalism in the legislative process.”
The development comes amid intense national debate over Nigeria’s new tax regime, with civil society groups, professionals, and concerned citizens demanding clarity to ensure that the final gazetted laws faithfully reflect what was debated, passed, and approved by both chambers of the National Assembly.
By ordering the release of the signed bills and tightening procedures around transmission and gazetting, the National Assembly says it is reinforcing public confidence in the legislative process and reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability, and institutional integrity.