NRS, CITN deepen collaboration on tax education drive

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The National Revenue Service has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening voluntary tax compliance, one year after the implementation of Nigeria’s landmark tax reforms, saying taxpayer education remains critical to building a sustainable revenue system.

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The revenue agency made the commitment alongside the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria during the maiden edition of the 2026 National Tax Awareness Day, held to assess progress since the reforms were signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in 2025.

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According to a statement issued on Sunday, the nationwide campaign featured activities aimed at promoting taxpayer education, encouraging voluntary compliance, and deepening public understanding of Nigeria’s tax laws.

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The event, themed “Tax Awareness for National Growth: Reform, Compliance and Shared Prosperity,” was observed through CITN’s 49 District Societies across the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and its international districts in the United Kingdom and North America. It brought together tax professionals, government agencies, businesses, students, community groups, and members of the public.

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The statement noted that the commemoration coincided with the first anniversary of the Tax Reform Acts signed by President Bola Tinubu, describing the reforms as a major step towards a more transparent, efficient, technology-driven, and service-oriented tax administration system.

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As part of the activities, CITN District Societies organised tax awareness roadshows, market sensitisation campaigns, media engagements, tax clinics, stakeholder forums, school competitions, and community outreach programmes aimed at improving tax literacy and strengthening compliance across the country.

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A major highlight of the event was a courtesy visit by the President and Chairman of the CITN Council, Innocent Ohagwa, and members of the institute’s Governing Council to the headquarters of the National Revenue Service in Abuja.

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The delegation was received by the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mohammed Abubakar, who represented the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji.

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According to the statement, the visit enabled both institutions to review progress made since the implementation of the tax reforms and reaffirm their commitment to taxpayer education, voluntary compliance, and national development.

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Speaking on behalf of Adedeji, Abubakar commended the institute for institutionalising the National Tax Awareness Day and mobilising its district societies nationwide to advance tax education.

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He said, “Tax awareness is the foundation of voluntary compliance, and voluntary compliance remains essential to building a sustainable tax system that supports national growth and shared prosperity.”

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Abubakar added that the ongoing reforms were designed to build a tax administration system that is “trusted, transparent, technology-driven and responsive to the needs of taxpayers,” while making compliance easier and more convenient.

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In his remarks, Ohagwa thanked the NRS management for its continued collaboration in advancing tax administration reforms across the country. He said, “National Tax Awareness Day represents a coordinated nationwide effort to deepen tax awareness, strengthen taxpayer education, and support the successful implementation of Nigeria’s tax reform agenda.”

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The CITN president also commended the NRS for introducing technology-driven initiatives to improve service delivery, including the recently launched Rev360 platform, which he described as a significant step towards enhancing efficiency, transparency, and improving taxpayers’ experience.

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The statement added that the National Tax Awareness Day reflected the growing collaboration between the NRS, CITN, and other stakeholders in building a stronger tax culture, adding that both institutions remained committed to sustained taxpayer engagement, improved service delivery, and voluntary compliance as key drivers of national growth and economic development.

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In June 2025, President Bola Tinubu signed four sweeping tax reform bills into law, including the Nigeria Tax Act and related statutes that together overhaul decades-old tax statutes and modernise the country’s tax system.

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The PUNCH earlier reported that the Nigeria Revenue Service set an ambitious revenue target of N40.7tn for 2026, banking on stronger non-oil collections, expanded compliance, automation, and tighter enforcement to sustain recent growth momentum.

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The target is an increase of about 44 per cent from the N28.29tn collected in 2025 and more than six times the N6.4tn recorded in 2021, reflecting the Federal Government’s push to boost domestic revenue and reduce reliance on borrowing.

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