The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has raised constitutional and procedural concerns over the newly introduced Tax Reform Law, urging the Federal Government to suspend its planned implementation on January 1, 2026.
The student body cited inadequate public sensitisation and claims that the gazetted version of the law differs from what the National Assembly passed. In a statement on Monday, signed by National President, Olushola Oladoja, NANS said the uncertainties surrounding the law were creating confusion among citizens already facing economic pressures.
“Nigerians are poorly informed about the content, scope, impacts, and long-term implications of the new tax reform law”, the association said.
While acknowledging the importance of tax reforms, NANS argued that the process lacked transparency and public engagement, describing the implementation framework as “fundamentally flawed, poorly communicated, and constitutionally questionable”.
The association criticized the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for relying heavily on social media and influencers for sensitisation, which excluded large sections of the population.
“It is a shame that FIRS has failed to execute an inclusive nationwide public enlightenment process,” the statement said, calling the approach “linear, exclusionary, and elitist”.
NANS also expressed concern over reports that the gazetted law may not fully reflect what lawmakers approved, raising questions about legislative integrity.
“This development, if true, raises serious constitutional concerns,” the association said, adding that “a law under investigation cannot, in good conscience, be implemented”.
It noted that the National Assembly has reportedly constituted a committee to probe the discrepancies, insisting that implementation should be suspended until the review is completed.
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