An economic expert at Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Kabiru Isah Dandago, has stated that the Federal Government can proceed with the implementation of the newly signed tax reform laws despite objections from some members of the House of Representatives.
Dandago argued that the laws remain valid and enforceable, noting that protests raised by lawmakers after the bills were passed and signed do not nullify them.
“Despite their protest after the fact, the tax laws still stand,” he said in an interview.
His comments come amid growing controversy over the implementation of the new tax reform laws following claims by a member of the House of Representatives, Abdussamad Dasuki, that discrepancies existed between the versions of the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the laws later gazetted for public use.
Dasuki alleged that the published versions did not reflect what lawmakers debated and approved during plenary.
Responding, Prof. Dandago said the concerns would only become weighty if it is proven that any new clauses harmful to citizens’ welfare had been inserted into the laws.
According to him, “It remains unclear what these discrepancies are. Where the issue lies is if there is some clause inserted in the law that will affect the livelihood of the masses negatively, but so far, nothing has been brought forth as such.”
He added that if lawmakers believe there are serious irregularities, they should present concrete evidence and initiate a formal review process.
“If the Representatives are serious, then they should get their facts ready so that a review can be done,” he said.
The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives had earlier called on the Federal Government to suspend implementation of the tax laws over the alleged alterations, even as the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, maintained that the January 1, 2026 implementation date for the Nigerian Tax Act and the Nigerian Tax Administration Act remains unchanged.