Tinubu signs four landmark tax reform bills into law, aiming to simplify and modernize Nigeria’s tax system.
The laws target fairer taxation, investor confidence, and relief for small businesses and low-income earners.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed four newly passed tax reform bills into law, marking a major milestone in his administration’s push for economic transformation.
The signing took place in the presence of key government figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, and the majority leaders of both chambers. Also present were the chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Finance, along with Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, head of the Progressive Governors’ Forum. Others at the ceremony included Finance Minister Wale Edun and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
The four laws; Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, were passed by the National Assembly following broad consultations with stakeholders and interest groups.
These laws are intended to revamp Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue systems. According to President Tinubu, the reforms reflect his administration’s commitment to establishing a transparent and effective tax structure that will foster national growth, support investments, and ease the tax burden on individuals and businesses.
“This is about creating a modern, transparent, and efficient tax system capable of supporting national development, promoting investment, and reducing the burden of multiple taxation on citizens and businesses,” he said.
The Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business) combines multiple tax laws into a single legal document, aiming to eliminate overlapping taxes, simplify compliance, and make the process clearer for taxpayers.
The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill introduces a standardized framework for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments. Its goal is to create more consistency and efficiency in how taxes are managed and collected.
The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill replaces the existing law governing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with provisions to form a new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS). The new body will have expanded roles, including the responsibility of collecting non-tax revenue. The law also strengthens oversight and introduces stronger mechanisms for transparency.
The fourth law, the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, sets up a national board to oversee and coordinate tax efforts across all levels of government. It also establishes a Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Office of the Tax Ombudsman to ensure taxpayers’ rights are protected and to provide more efficient ways to resolve disputes.
Observers have welcomed the move as a bold step toward improving revenue collection, reducing investor uncertainty, and enhancing cooperation between federal and state tax authorities.
The reforms are expected to help create jobs, improve the quality of public services, and rebuild trust in the country’s tax system. According to officials at the State House, the signing of these bills is part of a broader strategy by the Tinubu administration to strengthen economic stability and encourage long-term growth.
Speaking earlier on Thursday, President Tinubu said the reforms will help bring together the country’s fragmented tax laws, cut out redundancy, attract investors, and encourage better cooperation across the three tiers of government.
He emphasized that the laws reflect a shift from previous tax policies, stating that the new approach is focused on reducing the financial pressure on working families, small enterprises, and low-income groups while also eliminating inefficiencies in Nigeria’s revenue system.
In a post on his official X account, @officialABAT, President Tinubu wrote:
“We are also building a framework for the Nigeria of tomorrow, leaner, fairer and laser focused on unlocking opportunities for all.”
The President added that these reforms lay the foundation for a fairer and more transparent tax system suited for a modern and forward-looking Nigeria.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” he said.
“For too long, our tax system has been a patchwork, complex, inequitable, and burdensome. It has weighed down the vulnerable and shielded inefficiency. That era ends today.”
“We are laying a foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria. A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilizes revenue without punishing productivity.”
