The Senate on Thursday passed the remaining two Tax Reform Bills after a clause-by-clause consideration in the committee-of-the-whole.
The Bills are the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and Nigeria Tax Bill, 2025.
The development came barely 24 hours after the Upper Chamber passed the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, 2025 and the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2025.
The Senate deleted contentious and ambiguous clauses in the two Bills and set up a conference committee to reconcile the differences in the Senate version and the one already passed by the House of Representatives.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio who presided over plenary, lauded the lawmakers for their sacrifice in ensuring that the tax system in Nigeria meets international standard.
“These four executive bills seek to transform and modernise the tax system in Nigeria,” Akpabio said.
Speaking to reporters after the plenary, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa explained that his panel did its best to ensure the taxation system in Nigeria meets international standard.
He said: “What we did was to look at the tax bills and do the needful.
“President Tinubu brought the tax reform bills to see how his government could bring economic development.
“We underwent a public hearing and had a retreat with 76 organisations present.
“Religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders were also in attendance. We also agreed that the Nigerian Revenue Service will need at least six directors.”
Musa said the senators recommended that the President needs to appoint a chairman and create an ombudsman to arbitrate and adjudicate on tax-related matters.
He harped on the need for the establishment of a tax tribunal, which he said cannot be overemphasised.
“It is not à court of record. We have looked at the issue of VAT, coĺlection of taxes, development levy and inheritance tax which had been expunged.
“I believe Nigerians wiĺl see something nice from this. We also commend the President for giving a level playing field to all,” he said.
He said the conference committee would reconcile the amendments carried out by both chambers of the National Assembly,
Members of the conference committee named by Akpabio include: Senators Abba Moro, Abdulaziz Yari, Enyinnaya Abaribe, Yahaya Abdullahi, Sani Musa, Adetokubo Abiru, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas, Asuquo Ekpenyong, Jim Kuta, Gbenga Daniel, Osita Izunaso, Solomon Adeola, Adams Oshiomhole, Babangida Uba, and Mohammed Tahir Monguno.
