The Nigerian Senate has postponed the passage of President Bola Tinubu’s proposed tax reform bills until Wednesday to allow for more thorough review and debate.
The four bills in question—the Nigerian Tax Bill, Tax Administration Bill, Revenue Tax Board Bill, and the Nigerian Revenue Service Establishment Bill—were submitted by the president six months ago as part of efforts to overhaul the nation’s fiscal policies and increase government revenue. While the House of Representatives passed the bills two weeks ago, the delay in the Senate has sparked concerns among stakeholders.
In a related development, the Senate has resolved to convene a two-day national security summit in response to escalating violence and insecurity across the country. The decision came after a motion was raised by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo South) during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Senator Ibrahim cited the recent spate of killings in Plateau, Benue, and Zamfara States—incidents that occurred while President Tinubu was on a working visit to France—as justification for urgent action. He also highlighted broader geopolitical issues, including the Russia-Ukraine war and global economic tensions, as contributing factors to worsening food security and instability.
He warned of a shifting world order marked by immigration restrictions, citizenship-for-sale schemes, and economic conflicts, and called on Nigeria to define its international strategy more clearly. He further urged greater investment in the military and innovation in security approaches, proposing a fact-finding national summit to guide long-term solutions.
The motion received mixed reactions. Senator Mohammed Dandutse (Katsina South) backed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of intelligence sharing and prudent use of security funding. However, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) and Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) questioned the effectiveness of such a summit. Their concerns were countered by Senators Titus Zam (Benue North-West) and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who voiced support.
Following a voice vote, the majority of senators endorsed the motion. Senate President Godswill Akpabio approved the summit but suggested it be limited to two days, rather than the initially proposed three.
An ad-hoc committee will be established to organize the summit, which will be held in Abuja and include participants from all levels of government as well as traditional institutions. The Senate also urged the federal government to reassess national security strategies in light of recommendations from the summit.
