Budget Office Defends Integrity of Newly Enacted Tax Reform Acts

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Budget Office of the Federation has defended the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, dismissing claims that the laws were altered after passage and warning against what it described as governance driven by speculation and unverified information.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Office said allegations of post-passage alterations, if not backed by due process and verified legislative records, could undermine constitutional democracy and public confidence in the rule of law.

The Budget Office said it had taken note of concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, stressing that the sanctity of the law goes beyond procedural compliance and lies at the core of democratic governance.

According to the Office, suggestions that legislation could be modified after debate, passage, authentication and presidential assent—without lawful procedure—would “strike at the core of the Republic” and erode citizens’ right to be governed by transparent and stable laws.

However, it cautioned that democratic integrity is also threatened by the careless spread of unverified claims, noting that public trust, once damaged by speculation, is often difficult to restore.

The Office welcomed the decision of the National Assembly to investigate the allegations, describing institutional inquiry as the appropriate response to claims of illegality, rather than reliance on conjecture or viral documents of uncertain origin.

On public access to the laws, the Budget Office agreed that Nigerians and the business community are entitled to clear and authoritative legal texts. It clarified, however, that legislative authenticity is determined by certified records and official publication processes, not informal reproductions.

The statement also underscored the importance of separation of powers, warning that claims suggesting Nigeria is being governed by “fake laws,” if unsupported by established facts, could weaken trust in democratic institutions. At the same time, it noted that legislative oversight remains a constitutional responsibility and should not be dismissed by the executive.

From a fiscal perspective, the Office said legal certainty is critical for revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility and investor confidence, stressing that uncertainty around operative tax provisions directly affects economic planning.

To strengthen public confidence, the Budget Office proposed measures including the publication of verified reference texts in a single public repository, improved access to Certified True Copies, clear public explanations where discrepancies are alleged, and strict alignment of implementing regulations with authenticated laws.

Addressing calls for the suspension of the tax reforms, the Office warned against allowing caution to slide into paralysis, stressing that effective tax reform is essential to reducing dependence on borrowing and inflationary financing.

The statement concluded that taxation represents a democratic covenant between citizens and the state, noting that compliance depends on transparency and trust. It urged political actors to protect institutions and advised citizens and businesses to rely on verified sources of information.

The statement was signed by the Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Tanimu Yakubu, who reaffirmed the Office’s commitment to fiscal transparency, institutional integrity and reforms that promote national prosperity while safeguarding citizens’ rights.