The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has officially cancelled its planned nationwide demonstration against the new Tax Reform Law. The protest, which was scheduled for January 14, 2026, was called off following a high-level meeting between student leaders and government representatives.
Dialogue Leads to Resolution
This significant decision was reached after NANS leaders met with Taiwo Oyedele, the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. The meeting took place in Abuja on Tuesday, January 6th. The outcome was formalized in a communiqué issued during the maiden NANS Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting.
Reading the communiqué, NANS National President, Olushola Oladoja, stated that the association decided to back down after receiving satisfactory clarifications from the government. He explained that the student body now understands the law is a deliberate policy aimed at strengthening Nigeria's economy and its revenue generation frameworks.
Understanding the Tax Reform Law
Oladoja elaborated that the law contains specific provisions designed to shield low-income earners and vulnerable citizens from undue hardship. He emphasized that the legislation is not intended to target the poor. Instead, it seeks to strengthen social protection systems while ensuring that higher-income individuals contribute more equitably to the national treasury.
"The law does not target the poor but strengthens social protection while ensuring that higher-income earners contribute more equitably to national revenue, preventing lopsidedness and unnecessary tax burdens on a few," Oladoja stated.
He also passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu's administration regarding the implementation. A key feature of the law, according to the NANS president, is its provision for a centralized revenue collection system with a transparent sharing formula among the federal, state, and local governments.
New Role for Nigerian Students
As part of the resolution, NANS has taken on a new responsibility. The association will now serve as ambassadors for public enlightenment on the tax reforms. They are committed to educating Nigerians about the purpose, importance, and potential benefits of the new law to boost public confidence during its implementation.
Furthermore, the ENEC affirmed the authenticity of the Tax Reform Law as officially released by the National Assembly, following its own investigation into the matter.
The ENEC meeting included a broad representation from the Nigerian student community. Attendees were drawn from the NANS National Executive Council, as well as presidents and senate presidents of:
- The National Association of University Students (NAUS)
- The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)
- The National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NANCES)
Also present were NANS Zonal Coordinators from all six geopolitical zones and Joint Campus Council (JCC) Chairmen from across the federation.
This development marks a reversal from the previous week's stance when NANS had called for the suspension of the tax laws. The student body had threatened a peaceful mass protest on January 14, with plans to march to the Presidential Villa gate in Abuja. They had initially accused the Federal Government of ignoring public concerns and bypassing proper constitutional processes.
Earlier, Taiwo Oyedele had clarified the government's position, stating that the new law is designed to reinforce social protection mechanisms and promote fairness, not to burden low-income Nigerians. He explained that the Act prioritizes the welfare of vulnerable groups by shielding them from additional tax pressure, while restructuring the system to reflect an individual's ability to pay. This approach aims to build a more inclusive fiscal environment.
Oyedele further noted that the reform seeks to correct long-standing imbalances in the tax system by ensuring that higher-income earners make a proportionately greater contribution to national revenue.
