The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has supported the Federal Government’s efforts to reform Nigeria’s tax system while calling for a review of key provisions in the proposed tax reform bills.

The bills were transmitted to the National Assembly on September 3, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu, based on recommendations by the Taiwo Oyedele-led Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

The proposed bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which establishes a fiscal framework for taxation; the Tax Administration Bill, aimed at providing a clear legal framework for all taxes and reducing disputes; the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which would replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which would create a tax tribunal and tax ombudsman.

Speaking exclusively to The PUNCH, Minority Caucus Leader Kingsley Chinda commended the bills but criticized the N50 million Company Income Tax exemption, arguing it falls short of addressing Nigeria’s inflationary pressures. He suggested increasing the threshold to at least N100 million.

Chinda emphasized the need to expand the tax net rather than increase existing taxes, stating, “More individuals and entities should be brought into the tax net, and leakages should be plugged. Only after achieving this can we consider increasing taxes.”

Chinda further urged lawmakers to seize the opportunity to update outdated tax laws, ensuring alignment with current economic realities.

Mansur Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State, highlighted the importance of consulting stakeholders, including state governors, through the National Economic Council (NEC). He warned that bypassing the NEC could set a precedent detrimental to federal-state relations.

Soro acknowledged some positive provisions in the bills, such as the tax-free benchmark and centralized revenue management, but stressed that broader input was essential for meaningful reform.

Osun State lawmaker Oluwole Oke urged critics of the bills to allow the legislative process to proceed. He advocated for debating the principles, merits, and demerits of the bills on the House floor.

“The bills have been gazetted and read for the first time. Let’s debate their principles, listen to the public, and incorporate feedback from our constituents,” Oke stated.

Despite differences, lawmakers agreed on the need for tax reforms to address Nigeria’s fiscal challenges. Chinda called for a balanced approach that protects the interests of citizens, while Soro and Oke emphasized stakeholder inclusion and adherence to legislative procedure.

As the National Assembly resumes, the tax reform bills are set to be a focal point of debate, reflecting the critical balance between fiscal modernization and economic inclusivity.

______________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com

_______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _______________________________________________________________________

“Order Justice Omolaye-Ajileye’s Electronic Evidence Books Now” — Essential Guides On Evidence Act, Case Law And Digital Proof

Two leading books on electronic evidence by Hon. Justice Professor Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye, Rtd., PhD, FICMC, are now available for purchase. The publications, Electronic Evidence (Second Edition), With The Evidence Act, 2011 and Compendium Of Cases On Electronic Evidence, Volume II, 2020–2025, provide practical guidance, legal analysis and recent judicial authorities on electronic evidence in Nigeria.Order directly from the author here: https://velvety-cendol-7387ed.netlify.app/ _______________________________________________________________________ Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook The book also examines Nigeria's legal ecosystem, focusing on the LPELR and NBA AI Guidelines. As a bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE eBook titled: How to Use the AI Features in LegalPedia and LawPavilion. Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating: "....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic." How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626 Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACIarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. _______________________________________________________________________