President Tinubu Signs Major Tax Reform Bills Into Law

President Bola Tinubu has signed four major tax reform bills into law in a major overhaul of the country’s tax system.

The bills, passed by the National Assembly earlier this year, aim to simplify and modernise Nigeria’s complex tax structure. The law will come into effect on 1 January 2026 giving stakeholders time to adapt.

Speaking at a signing ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu said the reforms were designed to unify and simplify the tax system, reduce duplication, and improve transparency. The new laws, he said, will support national development, attract investment, and ease the burden on ordinary Nigerians and businesses.

“These laws reflect our commitment to building a fair, efficient and modern tax system that unlocks economic opportunity for all,” the president said.

What do the new laws do?

The four bills are:

The Nigeria Tax Bill –consolidates various tax laws into a single framework to reduce confusion and ease compliance.

The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill -standardises tax collection processes across federal, state and local governments.

The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill – replaces the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with a new body, the Nigeria Revenue Service, with broader powers, including collection of non-tax revenues.

The Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill – creates a national board to coordinate tax efforts and introduces new institutions such as a Tax Appeal Tribunal and Tax Ombudsman to handle disputes and protect taxpayer rights.

Officials say the new framework will improve revenue collection, reduce investor uncertainty, and help decentralise fiscal control.

The Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, said the changes would take time to implement. “We have six months to prepare including public education and system upgrades before the start date in 2026,” he said.

According to the government, these tax reforms are part of broader efforts to restore investor confidence and promote sustainable growth.