The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has officially called off its proposed nationwide protest against the new Tax Reform Act after holding discussions with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and other key government agencies.
The decision was announced in a communiqué issued after the association’s maiden Expanded National Executive Council (ENEC) meeting, where student leaders reviewed the law and addressed earlier concerns raised by students across the country.
NANS had earlier warned that it would mobilise students for mass protests on January 14, 2026, if the implementation of the law was not suspended pending a National Assembly investigation and wider public awareness.
Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, said the student leadership engaged with the National Assembly, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the FIRS. During the engagements, FIRS officials explained the provisions of the law, clarified grey areas, and responded to concerns raised by the public.
According to Oladoja, the meeting brought together representatives of major student bodies across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, as well as zonal coordinators, campus leaders, female student associations, policy experts, and other stakeholders.
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He explained that after reviewing the National Assembly’s investigation report and receiving detailed briefings from tax experts, NANS concluded that the law is designed to improve revenue generation, protect low-income earners, and promote fairness in tax contributions.
“The law does not target the poor. Rather, it strengthens social protection while ensuring that higher-income earners contribute more equitably to national revenue,” Oladoja said.
He added that the association has resolved to support public sensitisation on the Tax Reform Act and confirmed the authenticity of the version released by the National Assembly.
Following these resolutions, NANS announced the suspension of the nationwide protest earlier scheduled for January 14, 2026.
The student body also passed a vote of confidence on the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, and commended President Bola Tinubu for ongoing fiscal reforms and initiatives aimed at supporting Nigerian students.
