Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, has countered objections to Nigeria’s newly enacted tax legislation, labeling the reforms “unstoppable.”
In an interview, Onanuga dismissed calls to suspend the tax laws, confirming they’ll take effect January 1, 2026. He characterized the overhaul as “revolutionary,” asserting it will boost national revenue while benefiting Nigerians.
“The National Assembly passed this law, and the President endorsed it,” Onanuga stated. “Critics awakened too late—their objections should have surfaced earlier. Implementation proceeds as planned.”
He emphasized the legislation’s advantages: “These reforms will harmonize Nigeria’s multiple tax systems and protect low-income workers from taxation. Critics opposing implementation aren’t aligning with right-thinking Nigerians.”
President Bola Tinubu recently signed four landmark tax bills into law, marking Nigeria’s most significant fiscal restructuring in decades. The package includes:
– The Nigeria Tax Act
– The Nigeria Tax Administration Act
– The Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act
– The Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act
These laws will operate under the unified Nigeria Revenue Service authority. Following a six-month transition period for public education and system alignment, full implementation begins January 2026.
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