THE TAX REFORM BILL AND THE NIGERIA REVENUE SERVICE: NEEDS, NECESSITY AND NATIONAL INTEREST

Abstract

On October 3, 2024, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, transmitted to 
the National Assembly, the Tax Reform Bill for consideration. The Tax Reform Bill comprising Nigerian Tax 
Bill (NTB) 2024; the Nigerian Tax Administration Bill (NTAB) 2024; the Nigeria Revenue service 
Establishment Bill (NRSEB) 2024, and the Joint Reserve Board Establishment Bill (JRBEB) 2024 seeks to 
consolidate multiple Tax laws in Nigeria into a single Act, thereby promoting efficient tax administration. 
The Nigeria Tax Bill vests upon the Nigeria Revenue Service powers to collect all national taxes, including 
royalties which is being collected by the Nigerian upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) 
and excise duties, import VAT etc. which is being collected by Nigeria Customs Service.  This paper 
examined the need, necessity and the national interest of the bill, the prospects and the pitfalls of a single 
tax net for Nigeria.  This paper finds that the imperfect nature of our current tax administration has made 
this reform not only a need but a necessity to promote National interest. This paper noted that there are 
surmountable challenges no doubt, but the payoff outweighs the challenges. This paper employs a doctrinal 
method of legal research which involves desk and library research.  It recommends among others a strategic 
public awareness of the importance of the bill and massive investment in technology to actualize the lofty 
objective of the bill.  
 
Keywords: Tax Reform Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service, National Interest