FIRS seeks media partnership for tax reform awareness
Orisemeke Benjamin
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is committed to building stronger ties with the media as it seeks to foster improved public awareness and accountability around tax administration and reforms.
The call was made during a media sensitization and enlightenment program themed: “The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance” held on Wednesday in Abuja.
In her welcome address, Technical Assistant in Broadcast to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Aderonke Atoyebi, emphasized the need for strategic collaboration with journalists to ensure the goals and impacts of the FIRS are better understood by the public.
“Your presence here today underscores the importance of collaboration between our organization, FIRS, and the media in driving meaningful public engagement, awareness, and accountability,” she said.
She acknowledged the diversity and development potential of the North Central region but noted its unique challenges.
She said, “From infrastructural gaps to socioeconomic inequalities, from environmental concerns to security issues. In this context, the media plays a critical role, not just in information dissemination, but in shaping public perception, influencing policy, and holding stakeholders accountable.”
“This is not just about promoting the work of our organization, Federal Inland Revenue Service. It’s about enabling the media to understand the goals and community impact of what we do within the North Central Region,” she added
In his presentation, Head of the Tax Reform Analysis Unit at the Fiscal and Tax Reform Division of the FIRS, Mr. Igninosa Bright, provided a comprehensive overview of the objectives and structure of the tax reforms. He stated, “The essence of task performance is the government using it as a critical tool to improve revenue generation, promote economic development, and promote the ease of doing business.”
Referencing the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Task Performance set up in 2023, he said, “The mandate of that committee was to, one, create a structure that will enable Nigeria to raise more revenue, also come up with a template that will stimulate economic development.”
Mr. Bright explained the simplification and harmonization of tax laws, noting, “What we now have, as of today, is that those imposition provisions are now in one document. That is the Nigerian Task Act 2025.”
On modernization, he said, “VAT collection will be done through fiscalization, or what they call e-invoicing, by virtue of this new law.”
He emphasized the importance of media support in driving taxpayer education: “The media must be very vigilant. The media must be ready to counter any misinformation. And to do that, you have to first of all equip yourself with the right information.”
