NANS fixes January 14 for nationwide protest over tax reform laws
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced January 14, 2026, as the date for a nationwide protest against the planned implementation of the new tax laws, warning that the policy would worsen the economic hardship faced by students and ordinary Nigerians.
The NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, made this known in a statement issued on Wednesday, expressing deep disappointment and a complete loss of confidence in the fiscal and economic advisers to President Bola Tinubu.
Oladoja accused the President’s advisers of offering misguided counsel that has pushed the administration toward what he described as an avoidable national confrontation over the controversial Tax Reform Laws. He specifically criticised the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, alleging poor stakeholder engagement and a flawed implementation strategy.
According to him, Adedeji’s approach risks undermining the gains recorded by the Tinubu administration in other key sectors of the economy.
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“The decision to proceed with the implementation of the Tax Reform Law from January 1, 2026, is unfortunate and sets a dangerous precedent for an administration that claims commitment to participatory reforms and democratic values,” Oladoja said.
He stressed that Nigeria operates under a constitutional democracy, noting that no policy, regardless of intention, should be imposed on the people without broad public consent.
Oladoja further expressed concern that the government was moving ahead with the policy despite objections raised by the National Assembly over discrepancies in the gazetted version of the law. He described the decision as disturbing and unacceptable, especially in light of the potential economic consequences for Nigerians.
The NANS president also noted that civil society organisations, youth groups and student bodies nationwide had called for the suspension of the policy until all contentious issues—particularly those related to constitutional integrity, transparency and public sensitisation—are resolved.
He warned that governance is impossible without the consent of the governed, adding that while authority may rest with those in office, the collective power of the people remains superior.
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“Against this backdrop, NANS hereby declares Tuesday, January 14, 2026, a National Day of Action against the implementation of the controversial Tax Reform Law,” the statement read.
Oladoja called on all NANS structures, including campus chapters, state joint councils, zonal coordinators and the national secretariat, to begin immediate and widespread mobilisation for a peaceful mass protest and march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on the scheduled date.
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