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Senate Passes Four Tax Bills For Second Reading
The Nigerian Senate on Thursday passed four key tax reform bills for second reading, marking a significant step towards overhauling the country’s tax system.
The bills, part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader fiscal reform agenda, were initially transmitted to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024.
In a session marked by extensive deliberation, the Senate instructed its Finance Committee to conduct a public hearing to gather input from various stakeholders, including the Governors’ Forum, the National Economic Council (NEC), and the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), who have voiced concerns over some aspects of the proposals. The committee is expected to report its findings within six weeks.
The bills are designed to address longstanding issues in Nigeria’s tax administration.
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They seek to establish the Joint Revenue Board, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, and the Office of the Tax Ombud.
These bodies are intended to streamline revenue collection, harmonize tax administration, and resolve disputes more efficiently.
The session followed a closed-door meeting where lawmakers discussed the bills, which were based on recommendations from the Taiwo Oyedele-led Tax Reforms Committee.
While many Senators acknowledged the need for reforms, there were significant reservations expressed about the timing and some provisions.
Senator Ali Ndume, a vocal critic of the bills, raised concerns about their potential impact. “Reforms are necessary, I am not against any reforms. My problem is the timing as it is today in Nigeria,” Ndume said.
He highlighted issues related to VAT and derivation, arguing that some of the bill’s provisions would require constitutional amendments before they could be implemented.
Ndume said, “One will be at the public hearing and the issue of derivation because the Constitution has to be amended before some of the proposals of the Bill can be affected. This bill should be withdrawn, we work on it and submit it after getting the buy-in of the Governors, Traditional Rulers, and the NEC.”
Ndume also expressed concern about the potential unintended consequences of shifting tax burdens onto manufacturers, which could ultimately affect consumers.
“If you move a tax burden to the manufacturer, he will transfer it to the consumer. It looks attractive but it may not be what it is. If you reduce VAT from 30% to 25%, the person in Nnewi who can no longer make billions will still be taxed the same as someone who is sitting idle.”
In contrast, the Senate’s Chief Whip strongly opposed the suggestion to withdraw the bills, emphasizing the importance of moving the process forward.
“The bill should scale second reading and undergo thorough examination during the public hearing,” the Chief Whip said. “Afterward, it can be subjected to clause-by-clause consideration.”
The four bills under discussion include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, aimed at establishing a comprehensive fiscal framework for taxation; the Tax Administration Bill, which seeks to streamline tax legal frameworks and minimize disputes; the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which proposes the creation of the Nigeria Revenue Service by repealing the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which would create a tax tribunal and ombudsman.
President Tinubu has emphasized that these reforms are essential to strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal institutions and aligning with his administration’s broader economic development goals.
The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) has defended its position following the controversial ruling by the Confederation of African Football Appeal Board over the disputed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Moroccan football authority said its appeal was strictly aimed at ensuring the proper application of competition rules, and not to question the sporting merit or performance of any team involved in the final.
The federation emphasized its commitment to fairness, transparency, and the stability of African football competitions, noting that its actions were guided by respect for established regulations.
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“The Federation reiterates that its approach has always been grounded in respect for the rules and stability of African competitions,” the statement read.
FRMF also praised all participating nations in the tournament, describing the 2025 AFCON as a significant milestone in the growth and development of football across the continent.
However, the body revealed that a more detailed position would be made public after a scheduled meeting of its governing organs.
The statement is expected to further clarify Morocco’s stance and outline any possible legal or administrative steps moving forward.
The CAF Appeal Board’s decision has continued to generate widespread reactions among football stakeholders, with growing calls for clearer regulations, improved transparency, and consistency in the administration of African football.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
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Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
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