Gov Eno directs immediate transmission of new tax Acts to legislature for passage 

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has directed the transmission of the New Tax Reforms Acts to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage. 

According to the Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umana, the directive followed last week’s briefings on the Acts by the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Uko Essien Udom, SAN, during the Exco meeting which was presided over by the Governor.

As published on the official website of the State Government titled, “Excerpts From The Enlarged Akwa Ibom Stare Executive Council Meeting Held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025”, the State’s infomation boss wrote: “Following a presentation by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice on proposed Executive Bills, including, the Domestication and Harmonization of Taxes and Levies Bill and the Akwa Ibom State Property Tax Law in line with the recently enacted National Tax Act – Council approved that the three bills be transmitted to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration and passage”.

The directive, it was learnt, was in preparation for the anticipated implementation of the New Tax Reforms regime in the country come January 1, 2026. The publication further indicated that the Executive Chairman of Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, was also invited for presentation on the New Tax Laws and their implications for the State.

“Council also received a briefing from AKIRS on the new tax law and their implications for the State. In attendance were the Secretary to the State Government, Head of Civil Service, Honourable Commissioners, Special Advisers, Permanent Secretaries, and Heads of Extra-Ministerial Departments”, Mr. Umana noted.

The prompt attention and speed given to the matter is understandable. The State’s IGR in recent years has grown in heaps and bounds with trailblazing record that consecutively has placed Akwa Ibom amongst the 10 best performing States in IGR in the country, hence the State’s excitement and AKIRS’ top-gear level of preparedness towards the implementation of the Acts as the clock ticks towards the January deadline.

Such include intensive capacity building for directors and management staff, essentially aimed at exposing and equipping them to the nitty-gritty of the New Tax Reforms Acts; all-encompassing sensitization programmes to be featured across conventional and new media platforms; provision of an ICT and cutting-edge technology and digitalization centre to be in sync with national digital platforms; restructuring of offices with modern service-enhancing conveniences; and infrastructural transformation of the entire Revenue House, including provision of a sit-out lounge for customers and visitors, etc.

At last week’s management meeting, committees and subcommittees were also constituted to handle specific areas of need.

The Executive Chairman, who is also Member, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, therefore has assured tax payers that the reforms were meant to relieve Nigerians from tax burdens, especially with regards to multiple taxation.

“Nigerians do not have to be unduly apprehensive over the New Tax Reforms Acts. Sincerely speaking, the reforms have come to relieve Nigerians”, Sir Okon has assured. It would be recalled that on 26 June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed into law a historic package of tax reform legislation, marking the most systematic and comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal architecture in decades.