Nigeria, May 8 -- The Senate on Wednesday May 7 greenlit two of President Bola Tinubu's four proposed tax reform bills, advancing a sweeping overhaul of Nigeria's tax system while firmly rejecting a controversial VAT hike.

The Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill sailed through after a two-hour session and a majority voice vote, marking a critical step in Tinubu's ambitious fiscal reform agenda.

But in a nod to widespread public concern over inflation and rising living costs, lawmakers threw out a proposal to raise VAT from 7.5% to 10%, opting to hold the line on consumer taxation.

Deliberations had been paused on Tuesday to iron out sticking points, with the Senate reconvening Wedne...