Stakeholders call for unified tax framework to drive Nigeria’s economic growth

Stakeholders have called for a unified and harmonised tax framework as Nigeria deepens its ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening revenue generation, improving compliance, and driving long-term economic transformation.

The call was made at the 28th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), themed “Tax Reforms and Global Relevance: Positioning Nigeria’s Tax System for a Sustainable Future,” held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The conference brought together policymakers, tax professionals, and international stakeholders to assess Nigeria’s evolving fiscal architecture and explore pathways for a more efficient, transparent, and technology-driven tax system.

Speakers emphasised that Nigeria’s fragmented tax structure, multiple taxation regimes, and weak coordination among revenue authorities continue to create inefficiencies, increase compliance burdens, and weaken public trust in the system.

They argued that a harmonised tax framework would simplify administration, reduce duplication of taxes, improve accountability, and strengthen transparency across all levels of government.

Participants also stressed the need for stronger coordination between federal, state, and local tax authorities to ensure consistency in policy implementation and reduce conflicts in revenue collection.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Peter Mbah, Governor of Enugu State, Nathaniel Urama, Enugu State Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, described tax reform as a defining national priority requiring inclusive implementation.

He noted that subnational governments play a critical role in the success of federal tax reforms and called for improved communication of tax policies in simple, accessible language to citizens at the grassroots level to enhance understanding and compliance.

Urama commended the CITN for its contributions to strengthening Nigeria’s tax system through professional training, compliance enhancement, and efforts to curb revenue leakages.

He also stressed that effective tax reform must go beyond revenue generation to ensure transparency and the proper utilisation of public funds for citizens’ benefit.

Also speaking, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, represented by Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi, Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to modernising its tax administration system.

He described taxation as the backbone of governance and development, noting that Lagos has consistently pursued reforms to expand its tax base, simplify payment systems, and strengthen digital tax collection through the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

According to him, Lagos has deployed digital platforms, integrated payment systems, and automation tools to reduce leakages, enhance efficiency, and improve taxpayer experience. The state has also invested heavily in taxpayer education and engagement.

“Sustainable tax systems must be anchored on trust, transparency, and inclusion, adding that compliance improves when citizens can see tangible outcomes of government spending”, Opeyemi stated.

He noted that Lagos tax revenue has been deployed to finance infrastructure development, healthcare, education, housing, security, and digital economy initiatives.

On his part, Joseph Tegbe, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Tax Policy Implementation and Minister of Power, described Nigeria’s current tax reform programme as one of the most ambitious in recent history.

He said the reforms, including restructuring personal income tax, consolidating revenue administration, and strengthening subnational fiscal capacity, represent a historic opportunity to modernise Nigeria’s fiscal system.

Tegbe commended CITN for sustaining its role as a professional and policy-relevant institution, noting that its 28-year record of annual tax conferences reflects institutional stability and national commitment to fiscal development.

He added that the ongoing reforms are aimed at creating a fairer, more efficient, and growth-oriented tax system that encourages productivity while supporting national development.