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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Nigerian Youth Unions’ Government (NYUG) has urged the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to suspend the laws scheduled to begin in January 2026.
The group warned that Nigerians would resist their implementations should the government remain adamant to the public outcry.
The youth coalition, comprising 63 registered youth, student and civil society associations nationwide, added that failure to halt the January 1, 2026 rollout could trigger coordinated nationwide protests.
President Bola Tinubu recently signed four tax reform bills including the Nigeria Tax Act, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act into law.
Tension over the reforms has deepened following claims by lawmakers that the gazetted versions of the tax laws differ from what was passed by the National Assembly.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja yesterday after an emergency meeting, NYUG National President, Ambassador Godstime Chukwubuikem Samuel, accused the Federal Government of pushing through “far-reaching and controversial tax reforms” without public enlightenment, consultation or trust-building.
According to him, Nigerians already weighed down by economic hardship, remain largely ignorant of the content, scope, and long-term implications of the new tax laws.
“Nigerians are not well enlightened about the essence and implications of this tax reform, yet the government expects blind compliance.
“Even members of the National Assembly are raising alarm over alleged forgery and discrepancies in the tax documents.
“A House of Representatives member, Abdussamad Dasuki and the Minority Caucus have both called for a suspension of implementation pending clarification of alleged discrepancies.
“How do you implement a law whose authenticity is under question?” he queried.
NYUG described the reform process as elitist and exclusionary, faulting the government for limiting consultations to state governors and political allies while sidelining critical stakeholders.
“You sat with governors, the biggest beneficiaries of federal allocations, and excluded youth unions, traders, teachers, drivers and workers. That approach will not work,” he warned.
The group also demanded the establishment of an independent monitoring body to track how federal allocations to states and local governments are utilised, arguing that development at the grassroots remains largely absent despite huge inflows.
“If these discrepancies are proven, then this is a serious breach of executive and legislative integrity.
“A law under authenticity investigation must not be implemented.
NYUG also took aim at Taiwo Oyedele, chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, over his insistence that the January 1, 2026 start date remains sacrosanct.
“This posture is fuelling anger across the youth population.
“Is Nigeria now a banana republic where laws are imposed without legitimacy or public consent?”
The body, therefore, called on President Tinubu to immediately postpone implementation, commence nationwide sensitisation, and allow the National Assembly to conclude its probe, warning that anything short of this would be met with mass resistance.
