NANS seeks public education, review, before implementation of new tax law
… says not all Nigerians are on social media platforms to be well informed.
The National Association of Nigerian Students has called on the Federal Government to immediately suspend the planned implementation of the newly introduced Tax Reform Law, citing poor public enlightenment and alleged alterations to the version passed by the National Assembly.
The student body made the demand in a statement signed by its National President, Olushola Oladoja, and made available to PUNCH Online on Monday, ahead of the law’s scheduled commencement on January 1, 2026.
While acknowledging the importance of tax reforms to national development, NANS said the current implementation process was “fundamentally flawed, poorly communicated, and constitutionally questionable.”
“Nigerians are grossly poorly informed and insufficiently enlightened about the content, scope, breadth, impacts, and long-term implications of the new tax reform law,” the association said.
According to NANS, the lack of adequate sensitisation has created widespread fear among citizens already grappling with economic hardship, with concerns that the law could further burden households and businesses.
“A reform of this magnitude requires extensive public education, clarity, and trust-building mechanisms, of which none have been adequately provided,” the statement read.
The association accused the Federal Inland Revenue Service of failing in its responsibility to carry out inclusive nationwide enlightenment, describing its approach as elitist and disconnected from the realities of most Nigerians.
“It is a shame that the Federal Inland Revenue Service has failed woefully in its responsibility to design and execute an effective, inclusive, and nationwide public enlightenment process,” NANS said.
It criticised the reliance on social media influencers for sensitisation, arguing that such a strategy excluded large segments of the population.
“This approach is very linear, reductionist, exclusionary, and elitist because it assumes that all Nigerians reside on social media platforms,” the statement added.
NANS further expressed concern over what it described as the deliberate neglect of grassroots organisations, including student and youth groups, which it said possess the reach and trust needed to bridge policy gaps.
Beyond public enlightenment, the association raised alarm over revelations by the House of Representatives that the gazetted tax law may differ from the version passed by lawmakers.
“This development, if true, raises serious constitutional and legislative integrity concerns,” NANS said, adding that “a law whose authenticity is under investigation cannot, in good conscience, be implemented.”
With the National Assembly reportedly setting up a committee to investigate the alleged alterations, NANS described the planned January 1 implementation as “untenable, reckless, and unacceptable.”
The association, therefore, demanded an immediate postponement of the law’s implementation until comprehensive nationwide sensitisation is carried out and the National Assembly concludes its review.
It also issued a 14-day ultimatum, warning of nationwide protests if its demands are ignored.
“Failure of the relevant authorities to heed this call within fourteen days will leave NANS with no option but to commence coordinated nationwide protests,” the statement said.
The student body stressed that while it supports reforms that are fair and people-oriented, it would resist policies imposed “without trust, clarity, or due process.”
The call comes despite the Federal Government’s insistence that the tax reforms will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on December 26, 2025, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, reaffirmed that implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act remained on schedule, describing the reforms as “pro-people” and aimed at easing the tax burden on vulnerable Nigerians.
