Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting assent to the Tax Reform Bill.
In an official statement issued on behalf of Nigerian women and families, the Minister expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for what she described as a historic and humane reform.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim stated that the development is a timely reminder that governance can be both strategic and sensitive, saying, “When leadership listens, dignity is restored, and lives are uplifted.”
The statement reads in part:
“In the quiet resilience of Nigerian women—in markets and homes, on farms and factory floors—lies a daily struggle to provide, to nurture, and to preserve dignity. It is within these lived experiences that true leadership must speak, not only through promises but through actions that touch lives directly.
“Today, the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs proudly salutes a profound and people-centred decision that will transform the everyday reality of millions.
“We extend heartfelt commendation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for signing into law the Tax Reform Bill; a bold, compassionate, and visionary step that demonstrates his administration’s unwavering commitment to inclusive governance and the well-being of all Nigerians—especially women, children, and families.
“This legislative milestone is far more than a fiscal adjustment; it is a social justice intervention. By removing Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential female-related and childcare items such as sanitary towels and baby diapers, the President has responded to the long-standing cries of mothers, caregivers, and advocates who have tirelessly called for the prioritisation of basic dignity in economic policy.
“For women in low-income households, this reform delivers direct and immediate relief. It lifts an often invisible burden from the shoulders of those who are forced to make difficult choices every day—between menstrual hygiene and school attendance, between clean diapers and household sustenance.
“In eliminating these inequities, Mr President has brought government closer to the grassroots and reaffirmed the humanity at the core of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Furthermore, this action advances Nigeria’s obligations under key national and international commitments to gender equality, the protection of vulnerable populations, and the Sustainable Development Goals. It is a policy rooted not only in economic reform but in empathy, inclusion, and the understanding that the strength of a nation lies in how it treats its women and children.
“The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs will continue to work collaboratively with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to ensure that gender-responsive fiscal strategies remain an integral part of Nigeria’s economic transformation. We are committed to ensuring that this reform reaches the last mile and benefits the women, children, and families,” she said.
With implementation set to commence on 1st January 2026, the four historic tax and fiscal bills will mark a new dawn in Nigeria’s economic governance.
The new laws simplify Nigeria’s tax regime, delivering the nation’s first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation. They also provide targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and working families across the country.
Following the President’s assent, the Nigeria Tax (Fair Taxation) Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act will now be gazetted as laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.