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By Henry Uche
As Nigerians anticipate a new tax regime from January 2026, experts in tax administration and management are urging the government to ensure that every Naira collected is demonstrably tied to improvements in security, roads, healthcare, education, and other social amenities.
At a tax advocacy symposium organised by the Professional Services Group of the Chartered Institute of Directors of Nigeria (CIoD), governance and finance experts emphasised that transparent tax utilisation is crucial for better public services and increasing confidence in tax management to deliver real development benefits.
In his remarks, the President and Chairman of CIoD, Mr Otunba Adetunji Oyebanji, stressed that it is the collective commitment of tax management professionals and administrators to ensure that ongoing tax reforms—aimed at streamlining levies, simplifying compliance, and leveraging technology—move beyond legislative intent to achieve verifiable implementation and positive economic impact.
Themed ‘Enhancing Capacity and Governance to Optimise Opportunities of Nigeria’s Tax Reforms’, the CIoD President explained that, as representatives of Nigerian business leadership, the cross-pollination of ideas on this topical issue is believed to have established the operational blueprint for achieving economic stability and prosperity.
“The need for a simplified and effective tax system has become increasingly urgent amid concerns about low revenue, a cumbersome tax structure, and economic bottlenecks. One of our resolves at the Chartered Institute of Directors Nigeria is to engage with stakeholders in every sector of the Nigerian economy to continue to contribute to discussions shaping policies and Nigeria’s corporate governance landscape.
“For long, our tax system has been characterised by complexity, leakage, and an over-reliance on a narrow base, but our commitment is to shift the foundational pillars of the economy from dependence on volatile commodity prices to reliance on broad, predictable, and fair non-oil revenue.”
To achieve these objectives, he suggested addressing capacity in technological infrastructure: “Capacity enhancement must be underpinned by a digital transformation. We must fully migrate to integrated, end-to-end digital platforms that simplify filing, payments, and auditing. This reduces human interface—a major source of inefficiency and potential corruption—while expanding the tax net to capture the booming digital economy and informal sectors in a simplified manner.”
On data utilisation, the CIoD chief stressed that the capacity to integrate data across government agencies (Customs, Immigration, Corporate Affairs Commission, etc.) is critical to ensuring every eligible taxpayer is identified, properly assessed, and held accountable.
“Citizens and businesses must be confident that the taxes they pay the government are managed transparently, applied judiciously, and translate directly into visible public goods—better infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
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“On the pillar of Governance, the promise of reform must be met with an ironclad commitment to transparency and accountability. Taxpayer morale is directly proportional to public trust in the utilisation of their contributions.”
An economist at the event posited that consolidating multiple tax laws into a more cohesive and simplified framework, clarifying jurisdictional boundaries at all government levels, and introducing a robust Tax Ombudsman are vital steps for governance overhaul.
“The reforms are deliberately progressive, seeking to tax the ‘fruits, not the seeds’, protecting the most vulnerable while ensuring that everyone who benefits from the Nigerian economy contributes their fair share. Optimising Nigeria’s tax reform is a collective national project. It presents a real opportunity to diversify revenue sources, achieve fiscal sovereignty, and create a competitive business environment. We must focus on actionable strategies that can quickly translate policy into tangible economic benefits for Nigerians,” he implored.
As deliberations on building a robust, equitable, and sustainable fiscal architecture for Nigeria’s economy intensify, experts emphasise the importance of linking sound public policy, administration, and sustainable economic growth.
Other stakeholders noted that it is not enough to make statements in the newspapers; implementers and decision makers at all government levels must roll up their sleeves and heed proven, practical solutions.
Speaking on the symposium’s theme, keynote speaker Professor Olateju Somorin charged both federal and state governments to be accountable, transparent, demonstrate probity, provide infrastructure, and avoid unnecessary spending. “You must help the vulnerable people. The money does not belong to them—they happen to be there. They must spend the money wisely for the country’s betterment so that our tax-to-GDP will grow as revenue increases.”
Somorin, Dean of CASMAS at Caleb University, highlighted the importance of good governance and acting in the interest of the masses. “Let us invest in systems that think, those that adapt, and systems that respond.”
The tax expert emphasised the need for increased capacity building, calling on economic, social, and political leaders across the board to ensure that the proposed tax regime achieves its objectives. “As we embark on this journey from January 2026, administrators, policymakers, private sector, professional bodies, and other stakeholders should join the transformation to build a sustainable tax system—one worthy of our collective aspirations, intelligent, transparent, and inclusive. The time is now; after all, smart systems think ahead. Let us not allow the reforms to fail. Do not forget, chapter 24(f) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria spells out our duty to pay taxes,” she added.
