JUST IN: NASS Orders Release of Signed Tax Bills Amid Controversy

The National Assembly has directed its Clerk to make public the tax bills recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, following growing concerns over alleged discrepancies in the gazetted versions.

The directive was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Director of Information of the National Assembly, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, who said the move was in response to calls for greater transparency.

According to the statement, the documents to be released will include certificate pages to allow members of the public independently confirm the accuracy of the bills as passed by the legislature.

The leadership of the Assembly noted that while public interest in the matter had been high, only a few individuals had formally applied for certified true copies of the harmonised tax bills, adding that such requests had already been treated.

It explained that interested persons could apply to the Clerk of the National Assembly, specify the bills required and pay the prescribed fees to obtain the documents.

The statement added: “The Clerk is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to publish the duly certified and assented Acts in compliance with the law. These Gazettes are expected to be ready on or before 1 January 2026.

While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press. To strengthen institutional processes, the National Assembly is reviewing procedures for the transmission and gazetting of Bills.

“Henceforth, all Bills for Presidential assent will be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, and no request for gazetting an act of the National Assembly will be entertained by the Printing Press unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or his authorized representative.

“The National Assembly appreciates Nigerians for their interest and constructive engagement in strengthening transparency, accountability, and professionalism in the legislative process.”