NANS Declares January 14 Nationwide Protest Against New Tax Laws

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has set 14 January, 2026, for a nationwide action to protest against the implementation of the new tax laws, citing concerns over its impact on students and the wider Nigerian populace.

NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday where he expressed profound disappointment and total lack of confidence in the fiscal and economic advisers surrounding President Bola Tinubu.

Oladoja said thorough what he called their misguided counsel, Tinubu has continued to push the administration towards an avoidable national confrontation over the controversial Tax Reform Laws.

NANS stated that the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, has proven to be a failure in his management of preliminary engagements towards the implementation of the new tax regime.

According to Oladoja, Adedeji’s incompetence, poor stakeholder management and disastrous implementation strategy are on the verge of eroding the hard-earned gains of the Tinubu administration in other critical sectors of the economy.

“The decision to proceed with implementing the Tax Reform Law from 1 January 2026 is not only unfortunate but sets a dangerous precedent 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.

“It is therefore disturbing and unacceptable that Mr President is being advised to proceed with implementing this law, even when the National Assembly, the constitutionally recognised representatives of the Nigerian people, has raised fundamental questions regarding discrepancies in the gazetted version of the law,” Oladoja added.

The NANS President also said it was shameful that the government had decided to proceed with the implementation, regardless of the painful economic consequences it would portend for many Nigerians.

“More concerning is the fact that civil society organisations, youth groups and students’ bodies across the country have openly expressed strong reservations, calling for the suspension of implementation until all grey areas are resolved, particularly issues bordering on constitutional integrity, transparency, and comprehensive public education and sensitisation of the Nigerian populace,” he noted.

He said the government must understand that there can be no government without the governed and that while power may reside in offices, the power of the people is always greater than those in power.

“It is against this backdrop that NANS declares Tuesday, 14 January 2026, as a National Day of Action against the implementation of the controversial Tax Reform Law,” the statement stated.

He called on all NANS structures, campus chapters, state joint councils, zonal coordinators and the national secretariat to commence immediate and massive mobilisation for a peaceful mass protest and march to the Presidential Villa gate in Abuja on the said date.