By Peter Omopo
The National Assembly has commenced the rollout of Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws, alongside fresh measures aimed at strengthening transparency and public confidence in the legislative process.
To address growing public interest and concerns surrounding the tax reforms, the National Assembly ordered the release of Certified True Copies (CTCs) of the harmonised tax bills passed by lawmakers and subsequently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Clerk to the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, said the directive was intended to give Nigerians unrestricted access to authentic legislative documents and dispel doubts about the credibility of the new Tax Acts. He explained that members of the public could now obtain the transmitted bills bearing the President’s assent for personal and independent verification.
“The leadership has directed the Clerk to make available the transmitted Tax Bills duly signed by the President, including the certified pages, to enable members of the public independently verify the facts,” Ogunlana said.
He noted that the decision reflected the legislature’s commitment to transparency and accountability, especially amid widespread public debate over the tax reforms. Ogunlana also disclosed that despite the intense discourse, only a few formal requests for Certified True Copies had been received, adding that all such applications had been duly processed.
Addressing claims of inconsistencies between the National Assembly’s Votes and Proceedings and the versions of the Tax Acts already published in the official gazette, Ogunlana said the release of the CTCs would help clarify any misunderstandings.
He added that individuals and organisations interested in obtaining the documents could apply through the Office of the Clerk to the National Assembly upon payment of the required statutory fees.
The Clerk further disclosed that his office was working with the Federal Government Printing Press (FGPP) to ensure the prompt publication of the certified laws, noting that the gazetted versions were expected to be available from yesterday.
“While the Clerk initiates the gazetting process, the statutory responsibility for printing and publication rests with the Federal Government Printing Press,” Ogunlana said.
In the statement, signed on his behalf by the Director of Information, Bullah Audu Bi-Allah, Ogunlana also announced new measures aimed at preventing future disputes over legislative documents. He said all bills for presidential assent would henceforth be routed through Presidential Liaison Officers, adding that no request for the gazetting of an Act would be entertained by the Printing Press unless initiated by the Clerk to the National Assembly or an authorised representative.
Ogunlana reaffirmed that the National Assembly remains committed to upholding transparency, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
