The National Association of Nigerian Students has announced plans to embark on a nationwide protest on January 14, 2026, in opposition to the implementation of new tax laws, warning that the reforms could exacerbate economic hardship for students and millions of Nigerians.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Government’s management of the tax reform process.
He accused advisers to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of offering what he described as misguided counsel capable of triggering avoidable national tension.
Oladoja also criticised the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr Zacch Adedeji, alleging failure to coordinate stakeholder engagement and consultations before the policy rollout properly.
He warned that insufficient consultation and a poorly coordinated implementation approach could erode gains recorded in other sectors of the economy.
According to him, the decision to commence implementation of the Tax Reform Law from January 1, 2026, runs contrary to democratic norms and participatory governance.
He said: “The decision to commence implementation of the Tax Reform Law from January 1, 2026, sets a dangerous precedent for a government that claims commitment to democratic values and participatory governance.”
He maintained that in a constitutional democracy, major national policies should not be enforced without broad public buy-in, noting reports that the National Assembly had expressed concern over discrepancies in the gazetted version of the legislation.
He added that civil society organisations, youth coalitions, and student bodies had demanded suspension of the policy pending greater transparency and wider public awareness.
In reaction to the development, NANS declared January 14, 2026, as a National Day of Action and directed all chapters, state structures, and zonal coordinators to mobilise students for peaceful protests across the country, including protest marches to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Oladoja added, “There can be no government without the governed. While power may reside in offices, the power of the people will always be greater.”
