NANS declares nationwide protest against planned tax law implementation

As Nigerians prepare for the Kickstart of the new tax laws, the National Association of Nigerian Students on Wednesday, accused the federal government of ignoring public concerns and constitutional processes, while declaring January 14, 2026, to protest the planned implementation of the controversial law.

NANS, in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by its National President, Olushola Oladoja, said it would embark on a peaceful mass protest and march to the Presidential Villa gate in Abuja, with Unity Fountain designated as the convergence point.

The students’ body expressed what it described as “profound disappointment and total lack of confidence” in the fiscal and economic advisers to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that their counsel was pushing the administration towards an avoidable national confrontation.

“The National Association of Nigerian Students expresses its profound disappointment and total lack of confidence in the fiscal and economic advisers surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose misguided counsel has continued to push the administration toward an avoidable national confrontation over the controversial Tax Reform Law,” the statement read.

NANS specifically criticised the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji, describing his handling of engagements around the new tax regime as a failure.

“The decision to proceed with implementing the Tax Reform Law from 1 January, 2026, is not only unfortunate but a dangerous precedence for a government that claims commitment to participatory reforms and democratic values.”

“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a dictatorship. No policy, no matter how well intentioned, can be forcefully implemented without the consent and confidence of the majority of the people,” the statement said.

Declaring the planned protest, the students’ body said, “It is against this backdrop that NANS declares Tuesday, 14th January 2026, as a National Day of Action against the implementation of the controversial Tax Reform Law.”

“As the NANS President, I, therefore, call on all NANS structures — campus chapters, state joints, zonal coordinators, and the national secretariat — to commence immediate and massive mobilisation for a peaceful mass protest and match to the Presidential Villa Gate in Abuja on the said date,” he added.

NANS outlined two core demands: the immediate suspension of the law’s implementation and the removal of the FIRS chairman.

“Our demands remain clear, non-negotiable, and just: immediate suspension of the implementation of the otherwise beautiful but deeply controversial Tax Reform Law, and immediate removal of the Chairman of FIRS for gross incompetence,” the statement said.