The Federal Government has commenced a six-week review of Nigeria’s 2025 tax laws following concerns about implementation gaps, unclear provisions and unintended effects that have emerged since the new tax regime came into force.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, announced the review on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of a technical subcommittee on fiscal policy and tax reforms.
The four major tax laws introduced under the reform took effect from January 1, 2026, as part of a broader restructuring of Nigeria’s tax administration and revenue system. They are the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025 and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025.
According to Oyedele, the review will consider 134 submissions received from Nigerians across the six geopolitical zones regarding the implementation of the reforms.
The submissions reportedly focused on areas including the need to simplify and clarify provisions relating to Value Added Tax, withholding tax and capital gains taxation.
Stakeholders also raised concerns about multiple taxation, coordination between revenue authorities and the compliance burden faced by taxpayers and businesses.
The committee will also examine measures aimed at strengthening taxpayer rights, speeding up tax refunds and providing safeguards for small businesses.
Other areas for review include digitalisation and data-sharing among government agencies, particularly to reduce situations where taxpayers are repeatedly asked to provide information already held by public institutions.
Oyedele directed the committee to examine the Deduction of Tax at Source Regulations 2024 against the new tax laws and prepare revised withholding tax regulations.
He explained that withholding tax is intended primarily as an advance-payment and compliance mechanism rather than an additional tax burden or a charge on business working capital.
The committee is also expected to review the Companies Income Tax (Significant Economic Presence) Order 2020 and develop an updated framework that reflects the new tax legislation and international standards.
Oyedele said the government must protect Nigeria’s tax base while ensuring that the country remains competitive enough to attract technology companies and international investment.
The minister stressed that the review was not intended to completely rewrite the 2025 reforms. Instead, the government wants to identify problems that have become apparent during implementation and make adjustments where necessary.
“The Finance Bill 2027 should not be seen as just another annual legislative exercise,” Oyedele said, adding that the objective was to preserve the fundamental principles of the reforms while responding to practical challenges and new economic conditions.
The subcommittee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Revenue Service, Joint Revenue Board, Nigeria Customs Service, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, as well as private-sector and professional organisations.
The committee has six weeks to submit its report to the Minister of Finance.
The review comes several months after the Federal Government issued transition guidelines explaining how taxpayers and revenue authorities should move from the repealed tax regime to the new framework. The guidelines stated that tax matters relating to periods before January 1, 2026, would continue to be handled under the previous laws, while periods beginning from January 1, 2026, would fall under the new regime.
The government said the latest review is intended to improve clarity, reduce unnecessary compliance difficulties and ensure that the tax system supports investment and economic activity while strengthening revenue collection.
