President Bola Tinubu has declared that the Federal Government will proceed with the implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws from January 1, 2026, insisting there will be no reversal or delay in the planned reforms.
In a statement personally signed on Tuesday, the President described the tax reforms as a defining step toward building a fair, transparent and resilient fiscal system capable of supporting long-term national development.
Tinubu stressed that the new tax regime is not designed to increase the burden on Nigerians. Instead, he said the reforms are meant to reset the existing system, improve fairness, strengthen coordination among tax authorities and rebuild public trust in government revenue administration.
According to the President, the reform process has moved beyond consultation and is now firmly in the execution phase, adding that no significant issues have emerged that would justify a postponement of the January 2026 commencement date.
He urged all stakeholders, including businesses, labour groups and subnational governments, to support the implementation, noting that trust in governance is built through consistent and well-considered decisions, not sudden reversals driven by pressure or uncertainty.
Tinubu reaffirmed his commitment to due process and strict adherence to the rule of law, assuring Nigerians that his administration would work closely with the National Assembly to address any concerns that may arise as the laws take effect.
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He said the ultimate goal of the reforms is to create a tax system that promotes economic growth, shared responsibility and national prosperity, while serving the broader public interest.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, also confirmed that the Nigeria Tax Act and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act would be implemented as scheduled.
Oyedele explained that the reforms are people-focused and structured to protect vulnerable groups, particularly low-income earners and small businesses.
According to projections from the committee, about 98 percent of Nigerian workers and 97 percent of small businesses will either be fully exempt from paying taxes or will pay significantly reduced amounts under the new tax laws, reinforcing the administration’s claim that the reforms are aimed at fairness rather than revenue extraction.
