Forged tax laws unacceptable, says labour congress
The Nigeria Labour Congress has urged Nigerians to reject what it described as distorted or falsified tax laws, warning that any fiscal framework lacking transparency and fairness would further erode public trust and deepen economic hardship.
The call was made by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in his 2025 Christmas message, where he accused authorities of allowing alleged distortions and forgery to creep into key tax reforms recently signed into law. According to him, such practices undermine the credibility of government policies and weaken confidence in public institutions.
Ajaero said Nigerians must insist on a tax system anchored on justice and equity, stressing that the burden of taxation should not fall disproportionately on ordinary citizens. He argued that progressive taxation, where the wealthy pay their fair share and regressive taxes are eliminated, remains essential to economic stability and social cohesion.
He warned that any tax law riddled with inconsistencies or alleged manipulation should be outrightly rejected, describing such legislation as unacceptable in a democratic society. The NLC president also linked tax justice to broader social justice, insisting that citizens deserve access to quality healthcare, education and security, while workers’ rights, welfare and rewards must be protected.
According to him, meaningful reform can only be achieved through patience, transparency and broad-based participation, rather than hurried legislation driven by narrow political interests. He maintained that it was preferable to take time to craft laws that enjoy public ownership than to rush reforms filled with errors and political interference.
Ajaero further called on Nigerians to remain united in demanding equitable governance, reaffirming the labour movement’s commitment to mobilising workers against policies that worsen living conditions and economic hardship.
His comments come amid growing controversy over Nigeria’s recently enacted tax reform laws. A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulsamad Dasuki, has raised alarm over what he described as discrepancies between tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the versions later gazetted and released to the public.
Dasuki claimed that his legislative rights had been violated, arguing that the gazetted laws did not reflect the content debated and approved by lawmakers on the floor of the House.
President Bola Tinubu signed four major tax reform bills into law on June 26, 2025. The laws, collectively referred to as the Nigerian Tax Reform Acts, are designed to modernise the country’s tax system, expand the tax base and improve efficiency. They include provisions to replace the Federal Inland Revenue Service with the Nigeria Revenue Service, which would have broader oversight powers.
However, the reforms have faced mounting resistance, with civil society groups, labour unions and some state governors expressing concern over alleged alterations, potential economic hardship and revenue-sharing implications. The House of Representatives has since set up a committee to investigate allegations of forgery surrounding the laws.