Nigeria will witness monumental development with effective tax system — Oyedele

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Oyedele

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…As CITN Embarks on Tax Awareness Campaign

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By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has said Nigeria will witness monumental development if the country gets its tax system right.

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Oyedele stated this in Abuja while receiving a delegation of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), led by its President and Chairman of Council, Innocent Ohagwa.

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He commended the institute for introducing a National Tax Awareness Day and for supporting the Federal Government’s ongoing tax reforms.

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According to him, there is still a need for greater public enlightenment because many Nigerians view taxation as merely a means for government to take money from citizens.

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He explained that the government’s objective is not to increase taxes but to broaden the tax base and ensure fairness in tax administration.

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“We are still not getting enough revenue from tax. It is not about increasing taxes, but ensuring that those who are supposed to pay tax actually do so. We want to promote fairness in tax administration,” he said.

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Speaking earlier, CITN President, Ohagwa, said the institute dedicated the day to tax awareness to secure public understanding and support for the country’s tax reforms.

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He noted that misconceptions surrounding the reforms had generated confusion among citizens and business owners.

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“Some people believe the reforms introduced entirely new taxes on every aspect of economic activity. Others assume they were designed solely to increase government revenue without considering taxpayers’ welfare.

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“Some business owners have also expressed concerns about compliance obligations without fully understanding the reliefs and protections available to them, leading to confusion and unnecessary anxiety due to conflicting information, particularly on social media,” he said.

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Ohagwa stressed that tax compliance should not be seen as a burden but as a civic responsibility and a collective contribution to national development.

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He added that taxation works best when there is mutual trust between taxpayers and government, with citizens fulfilling their obligations while government ensures accountability, transparency and prudent use of public resources.

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According to him, CITN branches across the country participated in various sensitisation activities, including tax walks, roadshows, radio programmes, symposiums, town hall meetings, market outreach campaigns, quizzes and debates.

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The theme of the 2026 National Tax Awareness Day was: “Tax Awareness for National Growth Through Reforms, Compliance and Shared Prosperity.”

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Ohagwa said the objectives of the campaign include promoting tax education, encouraging voluntary compliance, engaging citizens through inclusive activities and strengthening CITN’s role in advancing fiscal sustainability and national development.

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At a separate event with CITN executives, the Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the ongoing tax reforms as the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s tax administration.

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Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Muhammad Lawal, Adedeji said the reforms were built on the principles of simplicity, fairness, transparency, efficiency and improved service delivery.

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He noted that the awareness campaign demonstrated CITN’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s tax system and supporting national development.

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According to him, the event also marked one year since President Bola Tinubu signed the landmark tax reform legislation into law.

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“These reforms are not merely legislative changes; they represent a fundamental transformation in the relationship between government and taxpayers.

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“Our objective is to build a tax administration that is trusted, technology-driven and responsive to the needs of individuals and businesses,” Adedeji said.

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He emphasized that tax awareness remains the foundation of voluntary compliance, which in turn is critical to building a sustainable tax system capable of driving national growth and shared prosperity.

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“When taxpayers understand why taxes are paid, how they are administered and the role they play in national development, compliance becomes a conscious civic responsibility rather than merely a legal obligation,” he said.

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Adedeji added that taxpayer education remains one of the strategic priorities of the Nigerian Revenue Service, noting that compliance cannot be driven by enforcement alone but must also be supported by engagement, education, transparency and continuous improvement in taxpayer experience.

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