Victor Ezeja
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has announced Wednesday, 26 February 2025, for a public hearing on the tax reform bills.
According to Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the public hearing will hold at the former House of Representatives Temporary Chamber, National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja at 10 am.
Abbas said all House members are enjoined to participate and contribute meaningfully to the debate.
The speaker said that because of the importance attached to the exercise, the House has decided to conduct the public hearing in a way different from previous ones.
“We have agreed that this will be done by a special committee comprising 36 members from the Finance Committee and Abuja, as well as co-opted members.
Reading the announcement signed by the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, the Speaker mentioned the names of those on the committee that will participate in the public hearing.
He said James Abiodun Faleke, who is the chairman of the Committee on Finance will still chair the committee; Seidu Musa Abdullahi, who is the deputy chairman of the House Committee on Finance will remain the deputy chairman of this special committee.
Other members of the committee are Leader of the Northern Caucus, Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano), Leader of the Southern Caucus, Nicholas Mutu (PDP, Delta), as well as the six zonal caucus leaders – Sada Solo (Northwest), Ahmed Idris Wase (Northcentral), Mukthar Aliyu Betara (Northeast), Babajimi Benson (Southwest), Fred Agbedi (Southsouth) and Igariwey Iduma Enwo (Southeast).
Reacting to the announcement, some Nigerians online urged the National Assembly to create an opportunity for citizens to participate online and make their inputs.
READ ALSO: Nigeria’s Tax Reform Bills: Necessary Shift Or Burden On Citizens?
“It will be nice to have online platforms, where people who are not chanced to attend can submit their input for consideration. Before someone starts another round of wahala of not being at the hearing. Well done § thanks for the good job,” an X user, @Lee3432000 who identified himself as a taxation expert.
The Tax Reform Bills include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which aims to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a clear and concise legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.
Others are: the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which is expected to repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service, as well as the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill, which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.
The committee is scheduled to engage stakeholders in the country’s tax system, including members of the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (BGF), and civil society organisations (CSOs).
