Tax law implementation will begin Jan 2026 as scheduled – Oyedele
By Kunle Sanni, Abuja
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to commence full implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act and the Tax Administration Act on January 1, 2026, notwithstanding the controversy surrounding alleged alterations in the gazetted versions of the laws.
Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Friday after briefing President Bola Tinubu in Lagos, stressing that the reforms are aimed primarily at easing the burden on Nigerians rather than boosting short-term government revenue.
Oyedele said the timeline for implementation remains unchanged, even as the National Assembly ordered a re-gazetting of the tax laws following public complaints over discrepancies between the versions passed by lawmakers and those published in the Official Gazette.
According to him, the reforms would bring significant relief to workers and businesses across the country.
He explained that about 98 per cent of Nigerian workers would either pay no personal income tax or pay less under the new regime, while about 97 per cent of small businesses would be exempted from corporate income tax, value-added tax and withholding tax. Large companies, he added, would also benefit from reduced tax liabilities.
He described the reforms as a deliberate strategy to stimulate economic growth, promote inclusiveness and ensure shared prosperity, expressing confidence that the country would be ready for full implementation by the beginning of 2026.
On preparedness, Oyedele noted that government agencies have been working towards implementation since the bills were first submitted to the National Assembly in October 2024.
He said the nine-month legislative process, which ended in June 2025, provided ample time for early preparation, while an additional six months since presidential assent have been devoted to capacity building, system upgrades and public sensitisation.
