The Federal Government has announced that implementation of the recently signed tax reform laws will officially begin on January 1, 2026.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the four tax-related bills into law during a ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. The new laws include:
Nigeria Tax Bill
Nigeria Tax Administration Bill
Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill
Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill
The bills were passed by the National Assembly following extensive consultations with key stakeholders and interest groups across the country.
Present at the signing ceremony were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Senate and House Majority Leaders, and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Finance. Also in attendance were Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who chairs the Nigeria Governors Forum; Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi.
Following the signing, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zach Adedeji, addressed State House correspondents. He revealed that preparations are already underway to ensure a smooth rollout of the new fiscal policies. He noted that the six-month window before implementation is intended to allow adequate planning and public sensitization.
Adedeji explained that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has now been renamed the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) under the new legislation. This change reflects an expanded mandate that includes both tax and non-tax revenue collection, with an emphasis on improved transparency, accountability, and operational efficiency.
“The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill repeals the existing FIRS Act and establishes a more autonomous and performance-driven national revenue agency,” Adedeji stated. “Just two hours ago, we were the FIRS; now we are the Nigeria Revenue Service with a broader scope and a renewed focus on efficiency.”
Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, emphasized that the success of the reforms will depend on effective implementation. He said President Tinubu has instructed all stakeholders to actively participate in the process.
“The journey is just beginning,” Oyedele said. “No matter how well-written or transformative a law may be, it holds no value if not properly implemented. We are fully aware of that, and we are not going to relax.”
He added that implementation will require a collaborative effort involving both the government and various sectors of society.
“This is not something the government can do alone,” he said. “We will work collectively with the private sector, public institutions, civil society, professional bodies, tax consultants, and international partners to ensure the success of these reforms.”
