After a long round of debates on the floor of the House, the House of Representatives has passed for second reading four tax reform Bills transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu last year.
The Bills had sparked much controversy from different segments of the country believing the reforms would shortchange them and those who believed the current arrangement was robbing Peter to pay Paul.
The debates on the Bills have escalated into a North versus South issue, particularly over the VAT-sharing formula.
The four tax reform Bills – the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024, and the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024 – are collectively aimed at overhauling the Nigerian tax system.
They were transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu last year.
Leading the debate on Wednesday, the Majority Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, addressed many of the concerns raised about the Bills, adding that the issues had been resolved through the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF).
Ihonvbere stated that the House had held several meetings with different caucuses to address their concerns. He also highlighted some of the benefits of the Bills, including tax exemptions for low-income earners.
After a debate lasting over four hours, the Bill was subsequently passed for a second reading when it was put to a vote by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
The Bills were later referred to the House Committee on Finance for further legislative action.
The tax reform Bills, drafted by the Presidential Committee on Tax Reforms and Fiscal Policy, aim to overhaul the existing tax laws in Nigeria.
However, the Bills have faced stiff opposition, mainly from the northern parts of the country, particularly from northern governors who have described them as “anti-North.”
The National Economic Council (NEC), a body composed of governors and chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the President to withdraw the Bills for further consultations.
However, the President refused, stating that all concerns should be addressed in the National Assembly.
