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The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on January 14, 2026, over the implementation of newly introduced tax laws, warning that the measures may worsen economic hardship for students and millions of Nigerians.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NANS President, Comrade Olushola Oladoja, criticised the Federal Government’s handling of the tax reform process.
He also accused the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, of failing to ensure effective stakeholder engagement and adequate consultation before rolling out the policy.
Oladoja cautioned that poor consultation and weak implementation could erode gains achieved in other sectors of the economy.
He argued that the decision to begin implementing the Tax Reform Law on January 1, 2026, violates democratic principles and undermines participatory governance.
“The move to commence implementation of the Tax Reform Law from January 1, 2026, sets a dangerous precedent for a government that claims to uphold democratic values and participatory governance,” he said.
Oladoja stressed that, in a constitutional democracy, authorities should not impose major policies without broad public consent. He cited reports that the National Assembly had raised concerns over discrepancies in the gazetted version of the law. He added that civil society organisations, youth groups and student bodies had called for the suspension of the policy pending improved transparency and public sensitisation.
In response, NANS declared January 14, 2026, a National Day of Action and instructed all chapters, state councils and zonal coordinators to mobilise for peaceful protests nationwide, including marches to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“There can be no government without the governed. While power may reside in offices, the power of the people will always be greater,” Oladoja said.
He further alleged that advisers to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are offering poor counsel, a situation he warned could trigger avoidable nationwide tension.
