Northern Senators Hold Closed-Door Meeting Over Tax Reform Bills

Northern Senators convened a two-hour closed-door meeting on Thursday, following the Senate’s passage of the controversial Tax Reform Bills for a second reading.

The meeting, held in Room 301 of the National Assembly Complex, was announced during the plenary session.

However, the details of the discussions remain undisclosed, as Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, declined to comment afterwards.

Earlier in the day, the Senate mandated its Committee on Finance to invite governors, the Governors Forum, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders to a public hearing on the bills. The Finance Committee has been directed to report back within six weeks.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) led the debate on the bills after the lawmakers returned from an initial executive session.

The four tax bills sent to the National Assembly include the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, which is expected to provide the fiscal framework for taxation in the country, and the Tax Administration Bill, which will provide a legal framework for all taxes in the country and reduce disputes.

Others are the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, which will repeal the Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and establish the Nigeria Revenue Service; and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill which will create a tax tribunal and a tax ombudsman.