Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, has said the National Assembly holds constitutional authority to suspend the January 2026 rollout of Nigeria’s new tax reform laws if investigations confirm alleged alterations in gazetted copies.

Speaking on Channels Television, Oyedele addressed claims raised by Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) about discrepancies between the versions passed by lawmakers and those published in official gazettes. He explained that while calls for suspension predated the controversy, any postponement would ultimately depend on the findings of the probe.

Oyedele cautioned against delaying reforms, warning that the current tax system disproportionately burdens low-income earners and small businesses—98% of whom are affected—applies minimum taxes even to non-profitable entities, inflates VAT on essentials such as food, healthcare, and education, and retains wasteful incentives. “We need to be clear about what we are asking for,” he said.

On the allegations of alterations, Oyedele pointed to risks inherent in manual legislative and executive processes, which lack robust quality assurance and create opportunities for errors. He recommended implementing the law as passed, isolating or invalidating disputed provisions, and strengthening transparency in lawmaking and gazetting.

He also accused opponents of mobilising through misinformation and fear, insisting that the reforms are designed to benefit the wider population by reducing multiplicity of taxes and aligning fiscal policy with Nigeria’s economic goals.

The House of Representatives has pledged to investigate the matter, leaving uncertainty over whether the reforms will take effect as scheduled in January.