Oyedele: Nigeria Still Not Generating Enough Tax Revenue

• Adedeji seeks stronger partnership with CITN to deepen tax education, broaden compliance

• Ohagwa: tax reform success depends on citizens’ understanding, voluntary participation

• CITN launches coordinated nationwide sensitisation drive to demystify taxation

James Emejo in Abuja

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, yesterday expressed concern that Nigeria is still unable to generate sufficient revenue from taxation despite ongoing reforms, noting that many eligible taxpayers have not yet met their civic duties.

He explained that the country’s challenge is not primarily about raising tax rates but about ensuring that individuals and businesses that are required to pay taxes do so within a fair and transparent system.

Oyedele spoke in Abuja while welcoming the leadership of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), headed by its President, Mr. Innocent Ohagwa, as part of the institute’s inaugural National Tax Awareness Day road walk.

The minister praised the institute for supporting the federal government’s tax reform agenda and for promoting public understanding of taxation, but urged it to intensify its advocacy efforts, observing that many Nigerians still hold misconceptions about tax.

He said that many citizens view taxation merely as a means for the government to extract money rather than as a vital instrument for national development.

Oyedele stated, “We are still not getting enough revenue from tax. It is not about increasing tax, but making sure that those who are supposed to pay tax pay. We want to promote fairness in tax administration.”

He added that if Nigeria succeeds in building an efficient and equitable tax system, the resulting impact on infrastructure, public services and economic development would be transformative.

Oyedele also challenged the institute to introduce annual awards for the country’s most tax‑compliant individuals and organisations as a way of encouraging voluntary compliance and recognising responsible taxpayers.

Earlier, the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and CITN reaffirmed their commitment to promoting tax awareness, voluntary compliance and fiscal sustainability as part of activities marking the 2026 National Tax Awareness Day.

Speaking while receiving the CITN delegation, Executive Chairman of NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the occasion as particularly significant because it coincided with the first anniversary of the signing of the country’s landmark tax reform legislation.

He said the reforms marked the beginning of a new era in tax administration built on simplicity, fairness, transparency, efficiency and improved service delivery.

According to him, the reforms go beyond legislative changes and represent a fundamental shift in the relationship between government and taxpayers.

Represented by NRS Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, Adedeji said the service is focused on building a tax administration system that is trusted, technology‑driven and responsive to the needs of businesses and citizens.

He explained that tax awareness remains central to achieving that objective, stressing that sustainable revenue mobilisation cannot be driven by enforcement alone.

He said, “Tax awareness is the foundation of voluntary compliance. Voluntary compliance is the cornerstone of a sustainable tax system, and a sustainable tax system is indispensable to national growth and shared prosperity.”

The NRS boss noted that over the past year the service has accelerated its modernisation programme through digital transformation, process automation and enhanced taxpayer services designed to simplify compliance, reduce costs and improve transparency.

He said initiatives such as the newly launched NRS 360 platform would further support the drive toward a more efficient and citizen‑focused tax administration system.

Adedeji also underscored the importance of collaboration between the tax authority and professional bodies, describing the partnership with CITN as strategic to deepening tax education and strengthening public confidence in the tax system.

He urged tax practitioners across the country to serve as ambassadors of tax awareness in their various organisations and communities.

However, the CITN President said the institute’s National Tax Awareness Day was conceived as a coordinated nationwide campaign to deepen tax education, encourage voluntary compliance and support the implementation of Nigeria’s tax reform agenda.

He said the initiative was approved by the institute’s council earlier in the year, with the last week of June designated annually for tax awareness activities.

According to him, the 2026 edition is being observed simultaneously across the institute’s 49 district societies covering all 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, as well as its international districts in the United Kingdom and North America.

Ohagwa said activities lined up for the campaign include tax walks, roadshows, radio programmes, symposiums, town hall meetings, market sensitisation campaigns, quizzes and debates aimed at demystifying taxation and improving public understanding of tax obligations.

He explained that June 25 was deliberately chosen for the event because it coincides with the anniversary of the signing of the tax reform legislation as well as a critical period for the filing of corporate tax returns.

The CITN president said the initiative was designed to promote tax awareness across all segments of society, strengthen voluntary compliance, showcase the institute’s role in supporting fiscal sustainability and engage citizens through inclusive public enlightenment programmes.

He reiterated the institute’s commitment to partnering the NRS and other stakeholders in broadening the tax net, strengthening compliance and supporting national development through effective taxpayer education and professional engagement.