The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced plans to use its 16 communication platforms and offices across all 774 local government areas to educate Nigerians and address misconceptions about the new tax laws.
Lanre Issa-Onilu, Director-General of the agency, disclosed this at the inauguration of the joint committee of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and the NOA, held on Thursday in Abuja.
He was represented by Nura Akobi, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics.
Issa-Onilu said the committee would develop the implementation framework for the new tax regime, which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.
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He noted that the reforms are intended to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability and improve service delivery.
According to him, the success of the reforms depends on citizens understanding their purpose, relevance and mode of implementation.
He described decentralisation as a key element of effective reform and said the joint committee was established to link policy decisions with the public.
He explained that the committee’s mandate includes designing and coordinating a nationwide awareness framework to provide clear and accessible information across all regions and social groups.
The committee will also address misconceptions, reduce public concern and counter misinformation.
Issa-Onilu said the agency would deploy its platforms, including media channels and its network across the 774 local government areas, to carry out the sensitisation.
He added that NOA would work with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, community groups, civil society organisations and the informal sector, noting that engagement must be a two-way process.
He stated that NOA brings nationwide reach and grassroots engagement to the partnership, while the Presidential Committee provides technical input and policy guidance.
He also described the media as important to ensuring accurate information, transparency and public confidence throughout the reform process. He added that stakeholder engagement would support effective implementation of the reforms.
Tope Fasua, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs, said the joint committee would help address misinformation already circulating about the reforms.
Fasua said that although there had been some resistance, the tax reforms were designed to benefit low-income Nigerians.
He explained that the new tax regime aims to rebalance revenue generation without increasing the burden on small businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, or other struggling sectors.
He said members of the committee were pleased to be involved and committed to contributing to the success of the reforms.
