The House of Representatives has passed four tax bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu, moving them forward for final approval. The bills, first sent to the National Assembly in October 2024, were approved yesterday after months of deliberation and public hearings.
The House Committee on Finance reviewed and recommended changes to the bills, aiming to improve Nigeria’s tax system. The bills were read for the third time during Tuesday’s plenary, with House Leader Julius Ihonvbere leading the motion.
One of the key bills seeks to replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) with the Nigeria Revenue Service, granting it authority over tax assessment, collection and revenue management. Another bill establishes the Joint Revenue Board, Tax Appeal Tribunal and Office of the Tax Ombudsman to resolve tax disputes. The final bill consolidates existing tax laws under a single Nigeria Tax Act.
With Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presiding, lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the bills. The next step is Senate approval before they are sent to President Tinubu for assent. However, some lawmakers from northern Nigeria opposed the bills, arguing for further consultation in line with concerns raised by their governors.