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By Henry Uche
Nigeria’s drive to deepen professionalism in tax administration received a major boost as the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) conferred fellowship status on 685 practitioners, reinforcing the country’s capacity for a more efficient and accountable tax system.
Speaking during the Fellow Conferment Ceremony in Lagos, the Special Gest of Honour, Mr. Tunde Adaramaja, Managing Partner, TAC Professional Services, reminded tax experts that ‘Fellowship’ status is not just a title, but a calling to higher service, noting that taxation, when properly administered, is not a burden but a tool for development, equity, and nation-building.
“As you adorn your Fellowship regalia today, remember that what you carry is not just prestige, but responsibility. You are now custodians of professional excellence, ambassadors of ethical conduct, and torchbearers of the ideals that define our noble profession.
“This represents maturity in the profession and confers upon you the duty to lead by example, to mentor younger members, and to uphold the integrity of the Institute in all your dealing with diligence, learning, and service rendering to our nation through the instrumentality of taxation”
Adaramaja implored them not to relent in promoting high professional standards, advancing tax education, and strengthening the ethical foundation, saying “As a central pillar of Nigeria’s fiscal architecture — a voice of reason in national tax discourse, and a trusted advisor in shaping sustainable revenue policies, your role is not only to interpret the law, but to shape its application — guiding governments and taxpayers alike toward fair, transparent, and sustainable fiscal outcomes.
“We as professionals must remain proactive, informed, and forward-thinking. The future of taxation belongs to those who can combine technical competence with innovation and integrity. The public must be able to trust that when a tax practitioner speaks, he or she speaks with truth, fairness, and objectivity. You must therefore uphold the highest ethical standards. let integrity remain your guiding light”
He reminded them that professional excellence without ethical discipline is hollow, hence their conduct must consistently reflect the values enshrined in the CITN motto — Integrity and Service.
“As the custodians of this noble profession, you are expected to be models of transparency, accountability, and patriotism. The nation looks to us not only for technical guidance but for moral leadership.
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“Taxation as a tool for nation building. Beyond collection, taxation also shapes behaviour, drives investment decisions, and reflects a nation’s economic philosophy. Therefore, our work as tax professionals goes beyond computation and compliance — it is about building trust in governance. Every accurate assessment, every fair advice, every compliance effort contributes to strengthening the social contract between the government and the governed.
“IT is my firm belief that if Nigeria must achieve its economic aspirations, taxation must play a central role — not as a tool of burden, but as a catalyst for inclusive growth and shared prosperity. I charge you to be mentors, reformers, innovators and patriots to champion transparency and modernization in tax administration”
He urged them to be advocates for fair tax policies that balance growth with equity while embracing technology, data analytics, and digital tools that enhance efficiency and reduce human error in tax processes. The tax experts must always remember that their ultimate duty is to the public interest and to the prosperity of Nigeria. In all they do, their legacy be one of impact, credibility, and contribution.
“Use your experience to guide and nurture younger tax professionals. The future of our profession depends on the knowledge you transfer. We must continue to work together toward a Nigeria where the tax system is efficient, equitable, and trusted — a Nigeria where taxation truly drives development” he admonished.
In a remark, the President & Chairman of Council of the Institute, Mr. Innocent Ohagwa, maintained that the rank of ‘Fellow’ comes with a solemn charge to uphold the highest ideals of taxation, to demonstrate technical competence, ethics and professional excellence while practicing.
“This is even more important as our nation is at a defining moment in its fiscal history. The ongoing tax reforms, indeed represents one of the most robust and decisive shift towards a more efficient, streamlined and technologically -driven tax administration in Nigeria. The reform is poised to reshape the tax system and redefine how fiscal policy drives national development come January, 2026 and beyond”
Ohagwa added that tax professionals remain central to the effective translation of fiscal policies and legal frameworks. “Taxation under the current reform landscape demands more efficient ethical and sound tax professionals. As Fellows and senior ambassadors of the profession, you must lead the way in this regard.
“The Institute has raised the bar of competence and ethical standards and every member- particularly our practitioners and Fellows, must rise to meet it. To remain relevant, you must continually invest in knowledge, engage actively in the Institute’s continuous learning programmes particularly, the Mandatory Professional Training Programmes (MPTPs). Workshops. Seminars, Zonal Conferences and our flagship event which is the Annual Tax Conference”
Some of the conferees took their turns to reaffirm their commitment towards practicing the profession in line with set rules and regulations, as charged.
