The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has called for closer collaboration with the media to promote voluntary tax compliance among Nigerians, stressing that taxation is vital for the country’s development. Speaking at a sensitisation programme in Kaduna themed “The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance,” the FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, who was represented by his Technical Adviser on Broadcast Media, Arabinrin Aderonke, said the media plays a crucial role in educating citizens and shaping public attitudes toward taxation. He explained that taxes provide the funding for hospitals, schools, roads, and social services, describing them as the backbone of national growth.
Adedeji noted that while enforcement is important, building a culture where citizens willingly pay taxes out of trust and understanding remains more effective. He urged journalists to simplify complex tax laws, explain procedures, and use investigative reporting to expose misuse of public funds, adding that accountability helps build public confidence in the system. According to him, informed citizens are more likely to comply with their obligations once they can connect taxes paid with visible services received.
At the event, which brought together journalists, tax experts, and government officials, discussions centred on strengthening collaboration through transparency, accurate reporting, and open communication. Presenting a paper titled “Voluntary Tax Compliance: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” Dr Mohammed Adamu, Head of Kaduna 1 Emerging Tax Audit, described taxation as the most reliable source of revenue for any government. He said voluntary compliance—where taxpayers declare income, file returns, and pay taxes without coercion—reduces enforcement costs, fosters patriotism, and sustains revenue flow, while also boosting investor confidence.
Another presenter, Ishaku Ankuma, Senior Manager of Tax at Kaduna Government Business Office, outlined registration, record-keeping, timely filing, and prompt payment as key elements of compliance. He cautioned that non-compliance attracts fines, interests, possible criminal prosecution, and reputational damage. He added that tax clearance certificates are now essential for many financial transactions.
The programme ended with a charge to the media to act not only as reporters but as educators and watchdogs, helping to demystify taxation, highlight its benefits, and expose evasion in order to build a stronger culture of compliance. Earlier in the year, FIRS had also urged tax consultants to embrace electronic invoicing as part of its drive to improve compliance, enhance transparency, and raise Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio, which currently stands at 10.6 percent, with a government target of 18 percent. Officials emphasised that the agency is on a journey to build one of the most trusted and efficient tax systems in the world.
