FG: Why Tinubu Did Not Submit 5% Fuel Surcharge Bill To NASS For Approval

The five percent surcharge on fuel which has become a subject of controversy, will not take effect alongside the new tax laws in January 2026, the federal government has said... Read ..Full.. Article.. .

The clarification was issued by the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele which explained that the provision is not a new tax introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration but a restatement of an existing law dating back nearly two decades.

According to him, the surcharge already exists under the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (Amendment) Act of 2007. Its inclusion in the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 is not a fresh imposition but part of government efforts to harmonise overlapping tax laws, improve transparency, and modernise the fiscal framework.

“This is not a new tax,” the committee stressed. “It has always been part of the FERMA Act. What the new tax law does is restate it for clarity and consolidation. It was not included in the original tax reform bills sent by the President to the National Assembly.”

The clarification followed public anxiety after reports suggested that motorists could face higher fuel prices in January when the sweeping tax reforms take effect.

The committee emphasised that the surcharge will not automatically begin with the new tax laws. Activation requires a separate process, including an order by the Minister of Finance to be published in the Official Gazette.

“This safeguard ensures careful consideration of timing and economic conditions before implementation,” Oyedele said.

He also noted that the surcharge will not apply across all petroleum products.

If implemented in the future, the levy will mainly affect petrol and diesel, the fuels most widely used in transportation, and..  Read . .More —