Nigerian Students Reject New Tax Rollout, Accuse FIRS Of Ignoring Constitutional & Public Trust Gaps

By ANITA KNIGHT

THE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has criticised the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its insistence on implementing the Tax Reform Laws starting 1 January 2026, arguing that unresolved legal inconsistencies and transparency concerns make the policy premature. In a statement issued by National President Comrade Olushola Oladoja, NANS said FIRS failed to engage students, youth organisations, civil society groups, and the broader public on the technical and economic implications of the tax overhaul.

The student body said the reforms, though “beautiful in theory,” cannot be imposed without democratic participation, public education, and constitutional certainty, particularly when the National Assembly has raised questions about alleged alterations and discrepancies in the officially gazetted versions. NANS also condemned the presidency’s reaffirmation of the January takeoff, describing it as a direct affront to citizens who had voted for democratic accountability and economic fairness.

To push back, NANS declared Tuesday 14 January 2026 as a National Day of Action, ordering nationwide student structures to commence immediate mobilisation for a peaceful mass protest march to the Presidential Villa Gate in Abuja, with the Unity Fountain designated as the rallying point. The union demanded an immediate suspension of the implementation pending the conclusion of legislative and institutional reviews. NANS pledged to maintain peaceful civic engagement but stressed it will collectively resist any policy implementation that disregards transparency, consent, and constitutional compliance, warning that there can be “no government without the governed.”