The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced January 14, 2026, as a National Day of Action, planning a mass protest against the new Tax Reform Law recently implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The student body said the protest would proceed unless the federal government suspends the law, citing unresolved issues over discrepancies between the versions of the tax bills passed by the National Assembly and the copies later gazetted.
NANS President, Olushola Oladoja, criticized the government for proceeding with the implementation despite widespread opposition, describing it as a disregard for democratic engagement and public trust. He stated that the insistence on enforcing the law from January 1, without addressing concerns, sends a “wrong message” about the government’s commitment to transparency and inclusiveness.
Several stakeholders, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the minority caucus in the House of Representatives, have also called for a halt to the law’s implementation pending clarification. However, President Tinubu has dismissed these calls, asserting that there were no major issues requiring a suspension.
Oladoja said NANS has begun mobilizing students nationwide for a peaceful march to Abuja, culminating at the Presidential Villa, with participants expected to gather at Unity Fountain. He reiterated the association’s demand for an immediate suspension of the law until all contentious matters are resolved.
The student body warned that failure to heed its call could trigger sustained student-led protests across the country, intensifying pressure on the federal government over the controversial tax reform.
