, has announced that the House will begin debating the four tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.){kind=link}
The Deputy Spokesman for the House of Representatives, Philip Agbese (APC-Benue), has announced that the House will begin debating the four tax reform bills introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Saturday, Agbese confirmed that lawmakers had thoroughly reviewed the bills, which include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.
The proposed legislation aims to create a clear fiscal and legal framework for taxation and minimize disputes in tax administration.
Agbese expressed confidence that the bills would generate robust discussions, leading to their eventual passage.
“We plan to debate these bills on Tuesday, and we anticipate lively discussions that will push for their swift approval,” he said.
He added that many lawmakers, who initially opposed the bills, have now shifted their stance and are advocating for their quick passage.
Agbese emphasized that the passage of these bills was not just about lawmakers, but for the benefit of all Nigerians.
“These bills are about stimulating the country’s fiscal policy, and Nigerians will soon see the positive impact. With these reforms, the federal government will have more funds for critical infrastructure development, job creation, and poverty reduction,” Agbese explained.
He urged Nigerians to support the tax reform bills, stating that national interests should come before individual or sectional interests.
Agbese also commended President Tinubu for leading a new direction in tax administration, noting that the reforms would bring about a progressive tax system.
“If these tax bills are implemented effectively, they will ease the tax burden on poorer Nigerians and small businesses, creating a more equitable system,” Agbese said.
He further praised the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, for his innovative approach to tax reforms, which contributed to a record N12.374 trillion in tax revenue in 2023—exceeding the target by 10.7%.
Looking ahead, Agbese noted that FIRS had set a target of N19.41 trillion for 2024 and had already collected N18.5 trillion as of the end of September, a remarkable achievement.