President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s newly enacted tax reforms will commence on January 1, 2026, dismissing calls for a delay amid concerns and allegations of discrepancies in the laws.
In a statement personally signed on Tuesday, the President described the reforms as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fairer and more competitive tax system that protects low-income earners and small businesses while modernising revenue administration.
The reforms are anchored on four tax-related acts signed into law in June 2025: the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. Two of the laws have been operational since June, while the core Nigeria Tax Act and the Tax Administration Act are scheduled to take full effect in the new year.
Tinubu stressed that the reforms are not designed to impose higher taxes but to harmonise existing laws, eliminate multiple and overlapping levies, and shift the tax burden away from vulnerable Nigerians.
As the implementation date approaches, the Federal Government has urged the public to remain calm, assuring that stakeholder engagement and public sensitisation will continue to ensure a smooth rollout.
Businesses and individuals have been advised to prepare for the changes, which are expected to introduce streamlined compliance processes and new exemptions from 2026.