The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has raised serious concerns over what it described as secret alterations discovered in Nigeria’s newly gazetted tax laws, calling for a thorough investigation before the reforms take effect in January 2026.
According to the Council, a review of the gazetted tax documents revealed variations that were not part of the versions passed by the National Assembly, sparking fears of possible constitutional breaches and manipulation of legislative processes.
The SCSN warned that tax policies have wide-ranging consequences on the economy, businesses, and ordinary citizens, stressing that any adjustment must strictly follow due process. It urged the leadership of both chambers of the National Assembly to carry out a transparent comparison of the original harmonised bills and the publicly gazetted documents.
The Council described the inconsistencies as “undemocratic and dangerous,” insisting that Nigeria cannot afford to implement laws clouded by suspicion and procedural irregularities. It emphasised that accountability in the legislative and publication process is essential to maintain public trust and protect national economic interests.
The alarm comes as the House of Representatives recently set up a seven-member panel to investigate reported discrepancies between the gazetted copy and what lawmakers actually passed. Members of the National Assembly have also expressed concern, with calls for answers on how the alleged insertions found their way into the published version.
The tax reforms, which aim to reshape Nigeria’s revenue structure, are scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, but growing tension around their authenticity may trigger a review or delay if the investigation validates the claims.
As Nigerians await the outcome of the legislative probe, civil society groups and policy analysts have continued to call for transparency, warning that any breach—intentional or accidental—could undermine the rule of law and fuel economic uncertainty.
