A lawmaker in the House of Representatives says the tax laws published for Nigerians do not match the versions passed by the National Assembly.
Hon. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP-Sokoto) raised the concern on Wednesday while rising on a Point of Privilege under Order Six, Rule Two of the House Rules. He told the House that his legislative rights had been breached, insisting that the gazetted tax laws do not reflect what lawmakers debated, voted on, and approved on the floor.
After the passage of the tax bills, Dasuki said he spent three days reviewing the gazetted copies alongside the Votes and Proceedings of the House and the harmonised versions adopted by both chambers of NASS, and observed discrepancies.
“I was here, I gave my vote and it was counted, and I am seeing something completely different,” he said, noting that copies of the gazetted laws obtained from the Ministry of Information did not match the versions approved by the House and Senate.
Dasuki stressed that his concern was not about moving a motion, but about alerting the House to a serious breach of legislative process and the Constitution. He urged Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to ensure all relevant documents — including the harmonised versions, Votes and Proceedings of both chambers, and the gazetted copies in circulation — are presented to the Committee of the Whole for scrutiny by all members.
“Mr. Speaker, the whole members should see what is in the gazetted copy and compare it with what they passed on the floor so that the necessary amendments can be made. This is a breach of the Constitution and our laws,” Dasuki said.
Speaker Abbas confirmed that he had taken note of Dasuki’s Point of Privilege and assured that action would be taken.
On 26 June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed four major Tax Reform Bills into law, reshaping Nigeria’s tax system. The reforms aim to boost economic growth, increase government revenue, and improve tax administration nationwide.
The VAT rate stays at 7.5 per cent, with essential items like food, education, healthcare, public transport, residential rent, and exports zero-rated to ease inflation.
Revenue allocation has been revised: 30 per cent based on consumption, 50 per cent shared equally among states, and 20 per cent according to population.
About the Author
