The Youth Advocates for Peace, Justice and Empowerment Network, YAPJEN, a prominent Nigerian youth-led advocacy group focused on good governance and anti-corruption, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the newly enacted tax reform laws following revelations of alleged material alterations to the versions passed by the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, by its National Publicity Secretary, Amb. Joshua Nicholas (Mr. Nigeria), YAPJEN expressed deep concern over the ongoing controversy surrounding the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Tinubu on June 26, 2025. These include the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act 2025.
“The allegations of unlawful insertions and modifications after legislative passage and presidential assent strike at the heart of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy,” the statement read. “Such discrepancies, if proven true, undermine the separation of powers, erode public trust in governance, and raise serious questions about the integrity of the law-making process.”
YAPJEN’s call aligns with similar demands from various stakeholders, including opposition parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives, Senator Ali Ndume, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. These groups have highlighted potential constitutional breaches and called for a thorough investigation before the laws’ scheduled commencement on January 1, 2026.
The controversy began earlier this month when Rep. Abdussamad Dasuki raised concerns on the floor of the House, alleging that the gazetted versions contained provisions not debated or approved by lawmakers. The National Assembly has since initiated an internal review and ordered the re-gazetting of the laws to issue certified true copies.
While the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, chaired by Taiwo Oyedele, has insisted that implementation will proceed as planned—describing the reforms as pro-people and aimed at reducing tax burdens on vulnerable groups, YAPJEN warned that proceeding without resolving the allegations could lead to legitimacy challenges and widespread non-compliance.
“We commend efforts to modernize Nigeria’s tax system but insist that reforms must uphold transparency, accountability, and due process,” Nicholas added. “President Tinubu should suspend the rollout pending a full, independent probe to restore confidence in these critical laws.”
YAPJEN, known for its advocacy on sustainable development goals and anti-corruption initiatives, reiterated its commitment to supporting policies that promote justice and empowerment for Nigerian youth, provided they adhere to constitutional standards.