The National Association of Nigerian Students has declared its support for the newly enacted Tax Reform Law, describing the legislation as a well-meaning fiscal policy targeted at strengthening Nigeria’s economy while offering protection to low-income earners.

The endorsement followed wide-ranging deliberations at the maiden Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting of the association, themed “National Executive Council and Structural Stakeholders’ Forum 2026 on the Tax Reform Act”. The forum brought together student leaders, policy experts and key stakeholders from different parts of the country to review the law and its implications.

The meeting took place against the backdrop of intense public debate and controversy surrounding the new tax legislation. In attendance were members of the NANS National Executive Council, leaders of the National Association of University Students (NAUS), the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), the National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES), zonal coordinators, joint campus council chairpersons, representatives of female student associations and other relevant stakeholders.

Prior to the meeting, concerns over the law had compelled NANS to issue a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, threatening to embark on nationwide protests if the implementation of the tax reform was not suspended to allow for further investigation and comprehensive public enlightenment.

However, following a series of engagements with the National Assembly, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), alongside the release of the National Assembly’s investigation report, student leaders stated that they had gained a clearer understanding of the objectives, safeguards and intentions underpinning the law.

Speaking at the forum, the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee and President of NANS, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, said students were satisfied with the explanations offered by government representatives. He noted that tax experts from FIRS used the opportunity to address grey areas in the legislation and respond to concerns raised by Nigerians, thereby giving student leaders a better grasp of the reform’s framework and purpose.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the ENEC resolved that the Tax Reform Law is structured to enhance revenue generation, promote fairness in the tax system and strengthen social protection for vulnerable citizens, while ensuring that higher-income earners make more equitable contributions. The council also affirmed the authenticity of the law as released by the National Assembly and announced the cancellation of the nationwide protest earlier scheduled for January 14, 2025.

NANS further pledged to act as ambassadors of public enlightenment, committing itself to educating Nigerians on the objectives and benefits of the tax reform in order to build public confidence during its implementation phase.

In addition, the meeting passed a vote of confidence on the former Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Mr Zacch Adedeji, and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his fiscal reform initiatives and the Nigerian Education Loan Fund. The association reaffirmed its support for the administration’s broader economic transformation agenda.