Media, CSOs mobilised on Tax Act 2025
Journalists and representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) have been tasked with educating citizens on the evolving tax regime, reports Assistant Editor ERIC IKHILAE. The need to grow a robust
Journalists and representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs) have been tasked with educating citizens on the evolving tax regime, reports Assistant Editor ERIC IKHILAE.
The need to grow a robust tax culture among Nigerians formed a major rationale for the new tax laws recently introduced by the Federal Government.
Since the laws took effect, many citizens have remained uncertain about their obligations, struggling to understand how the new statutes affect them and how to comply effectively.
This reality informed a workshop organised by the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) in collaboration with the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS).
The organisers were united by the belief that the media and CSOs constitute critical vehicles for disseminating accurate information, countering misinformation and guiding citizens on their rights and obligations under a functional tax system.
Between February 10 and 11, journalists and CSO representatives were exposed to the various components of the new tax laws and how they could support public enlightenment efforts nationwide.
With the theme: “The Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) 2025: An Early Review and Recommendations for the Media and Civil Society Organisations,” participants listened to presentations covering the history and effects of tax reforms on national budgeting and economic development; compliance, penalties, dispute resolution and taxpayers’ rights; value-added tax and exemptions; and tax returns and their implications.
Other sessions focused on misinformation and half-truths about the NTA 2025 circulating on social media; withholding tax and PAYE obligations for employers and employees; personal income tax reforms and reliefs, then versus now, as well as best practices for media reporting and CSO advocacy on the new tax regime.
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Resource persons included Adetunji Ogunyemi, Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University; Timothy Usman, President of the Building Aspiring Leaders Foundation; Christopher Kaka, Executive Director of the Trade Network Initiative; and Simon Olatunde, Coordinator of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Kaduna State.
In his presentation, Prof. Ogunyemi traced the history of taxation in Nigeria and examined the impact of various tax reforms introduced by successive administrations.
He described the current administration’s initiatives as the most revolutionary tax reforms since 1961, citing the enactment of four major tax laws in 2025.
According to him, the reforms have not only modernised the country’s tax architecture but have also boosted public revenue and expanded the distributable pool in the Federation Account.
Prof. Ogunyemi identified key outcomes of the reforms to include the creation of a single statute book for public revenue, the introduction of uniform procedures for tax enforcement and compliance, and the simplification of tax rates, charges, structures and liabilities.
He noted that the establishment of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), which replaced the former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has improved tax jurisprudence by clarifying the powers and functions of tax authorities across federal, state and local government levels.
The reforms, he added, have also standardised tax administration processes such as assessment, collection, auditing and penalties.
Despite these gains, Prof. Ogunyemi observed that Nigeria’s tax base remains largely untapped, particularly at the sub-national level.
He attributed this to a culture of dependency encouraged by revenue sharing from the Federation Account, rather than deliberate revenue generation by states and local governments.
He called for a reappraisal of the existing fiscal relationship in favour of a more aggressive tax culture at sub-national levels.
In his presentation, Dr. Usman addressed issues of compliance, penalties, dispute resolution, withholding tax, PAYE and personal income tax reforms. He emphasised the need to balance taxpayers’ rights with their obligations and advocated voluntary compliance as more sustainable than coercive enforcement.
Olatunde focused on misinformation and half-truths surrounding the new tax regime on social media, warning that unchecked false narratives could undermine public trust and compliance.
Dr. Kaka spoke on value-added tax (VAT), explaining how taxpayers could ensure they are correctly assessed. He also highlighted the role of the media and CSOs in accurate reporting, strategic advocacy and constructive engagement on the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
By the close of the programme on February 11, participants agreed that public trust and buy-in would depend largely on the ability of relevant government agencies to operate a harmonised, coordinated and transparent tax system that guarantees certainty and accountability.
KAS Resident Representative in Nigeria, Tobias Ruettershaff, said the workshop was designed to familiarise the media and CSOs with the new tax laws and clarify their role in public education.
Represented by KAS Programme Manager, Samson Adeniran, he drew lessons from Germany on the central role of taxation in nation-building and stressed that responsible citizens should pay taxes willingly, not merely under compulsion.
CISLAC Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, described the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 as a major milestone in the country’s tax reform journey.
He noted, however, that Nigeria continues to grapple with inequitable tax burdens, weak enforcement, limited transparency and the marginalisation of informal sector actors.
According to Rafsanjani, legislation alone does not guarantee equity or development; rather, success depends on how flaws are identified, monitored, addressed and communicated to citizens.
He explained that the workshop aligns with the objectives of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJGP), a broad-based coalition of CSOs, tax experts, media professionals, informal sector representatives and advocacy groups.
“The platform seeks to promote fair, equitable, transparent and progressive tax systems, ensuring that taxation serves as a tool for sustainable development, social inclusion and improved public service delivery, rather than an added burden on the most vulnerable,” he said.
