‘Too Late to Object’: Presidency Defends Tax Laws Against Criticism

Critics voicing concerns about the tax rules have been criticized by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Advisor on Information and Strategy.

He denied requests for the delay in an interview with Punch, stating that the law was “unstoppable” and would go into force on January 1, 2026.

Onanuga dismissed calls for suspension as being at odds with “right-thinking Nigerians,” calling the reforms “revolutionary” and claiming that the new system will increase tax collection for the benefit of Nigerians.

“The National Assembly has passed the law,” he stated. The President has given it his approval. Additionally, some people are only now realizing that they ought to have voiced their complaints long ago.

“The law cannot be stopped.” By God’s grace, the implementation will start on January 1st, 2026. There’s nothing to be afraid of. The majority of our various taxes will be harmonized by this development, and low-income workers will not be subject to taxes.

However, some argue that it ought to be put into practice. It is evident that they do not have the same views as conservative Nigerians.

It is a ground-breaking law that will benefit all Nigerians by increasing tax income. It’s too late to voice an objection if they say we shouldn’t implement. The current legal system is inexorable.

“Anyway, it’s already being implemented.”

The administration claims that President Tinubu’s recent signing of four substantial tax reform bills into law represents the biggest change of Nigeria’s tax structure in decades.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act are among the laws that are administered by the Nigeria Revenue Service.

The legislation will go into force on January 1, 2026, after a six-month transition period for system alignment and public education.