Stakeholders from across Nigeria’s fiscal landscape have called for greater transparency and inclusiveness in the country’s ongoing tax reforms, emphasising the need to translate policy into tangible development outcomes.
Speaking at the 27th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) holding in Abuja, participants, including government officials, state governors, and tax professionals underscored that taxation should serve as a tool for national development, not just a revenue-generating mechanism.
Most speakers emphasised that taxation must evolve beyond a revenue-generating mechanism to become a strategic tool for sustainable development.
Central to discussions was the series of fiscal and tax reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu administration, which participants agreed must be backed by clear execution strategies and accountable governance.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Tinubu, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, Minister of State for Finance, underscored the administration’s commitment to a tax system that is transparent, equitable, and aligned with national aspirations.
“Taxation is more than revenue; it is a tool for development,” she declared, highlighting the government’s use of technology and data analytics to drive compliance and enhance service delivery.
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The minister acknowledged persistent challenges within Nigeria’s tax system—such as the multiplicity of taxes, poor coordination among tiers of government, and low compliance levels.
She credited the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, established in 2023, with making measurable progress in broadening the tax base and aligning fiscal policies with the nation’s development goals.
Uzoka-Anite further pointed to recent economic gains, including a $6.8 billion balance of payments surplus and a $16 billion trade surplus in 2024.
She noted that the country also fulfilled $7 billion in annual foreign exchange forward obligations and repaid $1.5 billion in debts over two years. Despite these gains, she acknowledged that inflation, although easing, remains a pressing issue.
Reaffirming the administration’s people-first approach to reforms, the minister stated, “It’s not about the economy; it’s about the people who are affected. Reforms must deliver real value to citizens.”
Adding a sub-national dimension to the discourse, Caleb Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State, emphasised the importance of economic empowerment ahead of taxation.
“Poverty cannot be taxed. You must first create wealth, and then you can tax it,” he said, referencing fiscal measures taken by his administration to enhance financial sustainability at the state level.
