The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to suspend the planned implementation of the newly introduced Tax Reform Law, citing poor public enlightenment and alleged alterations to the version passed by the National Assembly.
The student body made the demand in a statement signed by its National President, Olushola Oladoja, on Monday, ahead of the law’s scheduled commencement on January 1, 2026.
While acknowledging the importance of tax reforms for national development, NANS said the current implementation process was “fundamentally flawed, poorly communicated, and constitutionally questionable.” The association warned that Nigerians were insufficiently informed about the law’s content, scope, impacts, and long-term implications, creating fear among citizens already facing economic hardships.
According to NANS, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has failed in its responsibility to carry out inclusive nationwide enlightenment, relying instead on social media influencers, which the association described as elitist and exclusionary. NANS also criticised the neglect of grassroots organisations, including student and youth groups, which it said could help bridge policy gaps.
Beyond public sensitisation, NANS raised concern over reports from the House of Representatives that the gazetted tax law may differ from the version originally passed by lawmakers, calling this a serious constitutional and legislative integrity issue.
The student body therefore demanded an immediate postponement of the law’s implementation until comprehensive nationwide sensitisation is carried out and the National Assembly concludes its review. NANS issued a 14-day ultimatum, warning of coordinated nationwide protests if its demands are ignored.
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“Failure of the relevant authorities to heed this call within fourteen days will leave NANS with no option but to commence coordinated nationwide protests,” the statement said.
The association emphasised that while it supports reforms that are fair and people-oriented, it would resist policies imposed “without trust, clarity, or due process.”
The call comes despite the Federal Government’s insistence that the tax reforms will take effect on January 1, 2026. Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on December 26, 2025, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, reaffirmed that implementation of the Nigeria Tax Act and the Nigeria Tax Administration Act would proceed as scheduled, describing the reforms as “pro-people” and aimed at easing the tax burden on vulnerable Nigerians.