Tax reform bills our priority in 2025 – Speaker Abbas

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen has said the 2025 Appropriation Bill and the Tax Reform Bills presently before the National Assembly are part of the priorities of the House in 2025.

Abbas in his welcome address at the plenary on Tuesday, as the National Assembly resumed from the Christmas and New Year break, emphasised the commitment of the 10th House to legislative interventions that address the socio-economic and political problems in the country.

The Speaker, in the address delivered on his behalf by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said “Our legislative agenda for 2025 prioritises the passage of the Appropriation Bill and the Tax Reform Bills, both of which are pivotal to economic recovery and fiscal stability. These reforms are essential for broadening the tax base, improving compliance, and reducing dependency on external borrowing.

“The House will ensure that these reforms are equitable and considerate of the needs of all Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable.”

Abbas said as the House engages with the 2025 budget of the Federal Government and other legislative priorities, “we must remain meticulous in our scrutiny, ensuring that every proposal aligns with national objectives and delivers tangible benefits to the citizenry”.

According to him, the planned Citizens’ Town Hall on the budget will further reinforce transparency and inclusivity in our decision-making processes, adding that the Constitutional Review Committee, under the leadership of the Deputy Speaker, continues to make commendable progress.

“The extensive consultations and rigorous review of over 350 memoranda demonstrate the depth of public engagement in shaping our nation’s foundational document,” he said.