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The rising controversy over alleged discrepancies in the four new tax laws, which took effect on January 1, 2026, created another opportunity for the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas reaffirms and advances his commitment to transparency and open governance. By ordering the release of the Certified True Copies of the laws to the public, the Speaker enhances his belief in empowering the people with the right information so as to foster their understanding of the working of government. Such understanding helps in building the capacity of the people to participate in their own governance. It makes the people active participants in government. Not spectators.
These documents -the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025; the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; and the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025- complete with endorsement and presidential assent pages, are now available to Nigerians for public record, verification, and reference. This action not only quelled rumours of alterations but also exemplified the principles of open governance that Abbas has consistently championed through his “Open Parliament” policy in the 10th House of Representatives.
The four Acts originated from executive bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024. They aimed at reforms that would modernise the country’s outdated tax system, harmonise revenue collection, eliminate duplications, enhance compliance, and boost non-oil revenue in a country that is battling a low tax-to-GDP ratio. After extensive stakeholder consultations, public hearings, committee reviews, clause-by-clause deliberations, and robust plenary debates, the bills were passed and assented to by the President. However, public concerns emerged over purported discrepancies between the versions passed by the legislature and those circulated or gazetted. These fuelled allegations of unauthorised modifications and enhanced mutual suspicion, which has become one of Nigeria’s national fault lines.
The speaker’s response was swift and principled. He ordered an internal verification of the Acts and constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee, chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the claims. Simultaneously, he approved the release of the certified versions, emphasising that the National Assembly is “an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory.” This move directly addressed the misinformation circulating in unauthorised versions, restoring public confidence and safeguarding the integrity of the legislative process. By making these authentic documents accessible, Tajudeen ensured that Nigerians could independently verify the laws governing their fiscal obligations.
To fully appreciate the weight of Speaker Abbas’s decision, it is essential to understand the broader context of governance in Nigeria. Since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the country has grappled with systemic challenges, including corruption, inefficiency in public institutions, and a disconnect between the government and its citizens. The National Assembly, as the legislative arm, has often been criticised for operating in silos, with bills passing through opaque processes that leave little room for public scrutiny. Previous administrations and assemblies have faced criticism for enacting laws without adequate public scrutiny, leading to implementation challenges and public resistance. This is why the speaker’s action comes across as a rare demonstration of proactive accountability in Nigeria’s political landscape.
As a paradigm shift, the release of the tax laws by Speaker Abbas aligns seamlessly with his policy on “Open Parliament” as it provides unfiltered access to original documents, which empowers journalists, academics, and the public to verify claims independently. The “Open Parliament” policy, which Abbas has championed since assuming office in June 2023, is rooted in an eight-point legislative agenda unveiled early in his tenure. It emphasises legislative inclusion, transparency, and citizen participation. At its core, Open Parliament seeks to demystify the legislative process, making it more accessible to ordinary Nigerians. Key initiatives of the policy include the annual “Open Week,” during which the House presents its scorecard, hosts public dialogues, and engages with stakeholders on pending bills.
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The first Open Week in July 2024 featured town halls, exhibitions of legislative achievements, and interactive sessions, which allowed citizens to voice concerns directly to lawmakers. The second Open Week in July 2025 was a “covenant with the people,” and underscored Abbas’s vision of a responsive parliament. Besides, Abbas has repeatedly affirmed the House’s commitment to an open system that integrates citizens into lawmaking. This includes digital platforms for tracking bills, live streaming of sessions, and partnerships with civil society organisations to monitor legislative activities. Through these, Abbas fosters his belief that parliamentary proceedings should prioritise “people over power, dialogue over distance, and transparency over tradition.” Therefore, by proactively disseminating authenticated versions, in an era of digital misinformation, where unauthorised documents can spread rapidly, it protects the sanctity of enacted laws. It also sets a precedent for future legislatures and speaks to the need to act transparently when doubts arise, rather than being defensive. With his approach, Abbas not only quelled the controversy but also set a precedent for handling future disputes. His approach also signals a gradual maturity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The significance of Abbas’s action also speaks to his leadership style, which is characterised by restraint, consultation, and institutional discipline. Since assuming office, he has navigated numerous challenges, from internal House disputes to national fiscal debates, with a focus on unity and due process. His sponsorship of a record number of bills in previous assemblies and his emphasis on evidence-based legislation have earned him accolades as a “torchbearer for a new democratic ethos.” The Open Parliament policy, in particular, has transformed the House into a more responsive institution, especially with its citizen engagement programmes.
Critics might argue that releasing documents is a reactive measure rather than a systemic reform. However, in the Nigerian context, where access to information is often restricted under the guise of official secrets, this proactive step marks progress because the release of the tax Acts highlights the broader imperative of open governance in nation-building. Transparent access to laws enhances compliance because when citizens feel ownership of policies affecting them, it reduces the risk of elite capture and ensures that reforms, like the tax measures, designed to exempt essentials from VAT, incentivise low-income groups, and streamline administration, benefit the wider populace. In an environment where fiscal federalism tensions often arise, such openness mitigates regional grievances by allowing all stakeholders to confirm the laws’ equity.
Looking ahead, Abbas’s action could affect further reforms as it reinforces the need for digital platforms to host all enacted laws promptly and in real-time, especially through an enhanced National Assembly portal. It also calls for stronger safeguards against post-assent alterations and ensures that gazetted versions match certified legislative copies. Also, this ‘controversy’ illustrates how individual leadership can advance systemic change.
In effect, by championing open governance, Speaker Abbas not only resolved a specific controversy but also strengthened public trust in the legislature. It shows how transparency can dispel doubts, enhance inclusivity, and uphold democratic integrity. For a country like Nigeria, which aspires for economic renewal and institutional resilience, such leadership as exhibited by Abbas is indispensable. As it is, the public now has the tools to engage government meaningfully and ensure that the laws serve the people they are meant to uplift.
