Tax authorities must work collaboratively with the media to advance public engagement, awareness and accountability, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said.

The Technical Assistant (Broadcast Media) to the Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, Aderonke Atoyebi, stated this at a media sensitisation programme on ‘The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance’, which was held in Abuja.

The programme brought together tax administrators, media professionals, scholars and civil society actors to deliberate on the role of the media in enhancing public understanding of tax policy and reforms and fostering voluntary compliance among Nigerian taxpayers.

Atoyebi stressed that the North Central region, rich in diversity and resources yet grappling with critical developmental challenges, requires an informed and engaged media to amplify policy impact and build trust.

She emphasized that the goal of the sensitisation programme was not only to promote the work of the FIRS, but to provide clarity on policies, initiatives, and the data that informs them, enabling the media to communicate tax matters more meaningfully to the public.She encouraged open dialogue, critical questioning, and deeper collaboration, affirming that the media serves as a vital bridge between the people and decision-makers.

The opening session featured two technical presentations by Bright Igbinosa, Head of the Tax Reform Analysis Unit, Fiscal and Tax Reform Division of the FIRS, and Prof. Iroye Samuel Opeyemi of Strategic Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria.

FIRS said the media sensitisation programme was convened to create awareness about ongoing tax reforms and policy directions in Nigeria to highlight the strategic role of the media in communicating tax policy and fostering voluntary compliance.

Others are to promote the use of data-driven campaigns in reaching and segmenting taxpayers and to educate media professionals on the importance of simplifying tax concepts for the public.