Abuja, Nigeria | September 16, 2025
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms as the most ambitious overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal framework in decades.
Speaking on Tuesday during the maiden Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Dogara urged the government to prioritize transparency and consistent implementation to secure public trust. His lecture, titled “Navigating Tax Reform in Nigeria: Insights on President Tinubu’s Policies”, examined the origins, scope, and anticipated impact of the reforms outlined in the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and related legislation.
Dogara highlighted the economic challenges inherited by President Tinubu, including excessive deficit financing, dual exchange rates, and forward sales of crude oil tied to foreign loans. “By the time President Tinubu took office, N22.7 trillion had been printed and injected into the economy, destroying the value of the naira,” he said, noting that some individuals profited significantly from forex allocations without producing goods or services.
He emphasized that these distortions made urgent reforms necessary, praising the President’s determination to drive change despite opposition. Dogara outlined that the reforms consolidate 16 federal tax statutes into four principal Acts: the Nigeria Tax Act 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025.
Scheduled to take effect in January 2026, the reforms aim to simplify Nigeria’s tax regime, broaden the tax base, and align the country’s tax system with global standards. Dogara called on authorities to ensure sustained implementation to achieve the intended economic impact and strengthen public confidence.
