National Assembly Releases Signed Tax Bills to Douse Discrepancy Claims, Tightens Gazetting Procedures
The leadership of the National Assembly has moved to calm rising public concerns over alleged inconsistencies between its Votes and Proceedings and the gazetted versions of recently passed Tax Acts by ordering the release of the officially transmitted and presidentially signed Tax Bills.
In a statement signed by Mr. Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Director of Information, for the Clerk to the National Assembly, the legislature directed that the signed copies, including their certificate pages, be made publicly available to enable Nigerians independently scrutinise the documents and verify the authenticity of their contents.
The Assembly noted that despite heightened public debate, only a limited number of individuals have applied for Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised Bills. According to the statement, all applications received so far have been fully processed, while members of the public were encouraged to apply to the Clerk of the National Assembly, specifying the exact Bills required and paying the prescribed fees.
The Clerk is also working with the Federal Government Printing Press to ensure that the duly certified and assented Acts are gazetted in accordance with legal requirements. The Assembly disclosed that the official gazettes are expected on or before January 1, 2026. While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the Printing Press retains responsibility for final publication.
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In response to the controversy, the National Assembly announced a procedural review aimed at preventing similar disputes in the future. Henceforth, all Bills for presidential assent will be transmitted strictly through Presidential Liaison Officers, while the Government Printing Press will only act on gazetting requests formally initiated by the Clerk of the National Assembly or an authorised representative.
The Assembly expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their vigilance and constructive engagement, stating that public scrutiny remains essential in strengthening transparency, accountability and professionalism in the legislative process.
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