The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has charged tax professionals to go beyond routine filing and compliance to provide strategic insights into business operations as well as assess risks across jurisdictions.
It also asked tax professionals to advise clients or organisations on sustainable and ethical tax practices. The institute said this was critical in the evolving landscape, where the tax profession is undergoing a fundamental transformation fueled by rapid technological advancement, growing regulatory complexity and shifting public expectations.
Prof. Muhammad Mainoma of the Department of Accounting, Nasarawa State University, said this during the 17th investiture ceremony of the new President and Chairman of Governing Council, CITN, Innocent Ohagwa, where he spoke on ‘The Tax Professionals of Tomorrow: Skills, Ethics and Innovation’.
He said preparing tax professionals of tomorrow required more than just technical knowledge; it demands a blend of cutting-edge skills, ethical leadership and continuous innovation.
He said ethical lapses not only harm client interest but also damage public confidence in the tax system. He noted that the traditional model was no longer sufficient in the context of a fast-changing global economy, digital disruption, and heightened demand for accountability and transparency.
He said while innovation is reshaping tax practice for the better, it was not without significant challenges but obstacles such as economic, technological, human institutional and scalability that reflect the hurdles that tax professionals and organisations must overcome to fully embrace change.
According to him, tax professionals are now seen as critical contributors to enterprise strategy, providing advice that influences investment decisions, supply chain structuring and organisational reputation.
To this end, he said society demands a higher standard of ethical conduct from tax practitioners, especially in an age where public trust in institutions is fragile.
Stating that tax professionals play a key role in ensuring fair and transparent taxation, he hinged on skills, ethics and innovation as the three pillars that define modern tax practitioners. He said each of the pillars represents a fundamental capability that must be nurtured to ensure continued relevance and effectiveness in the tax field.
Mainoma said tax professionals who could master the three areas will not only meet the demands of today’s dynamic environment but will also help to shape the future of taxation in ways that promote growth, equity and trust.
Ohagwa, in his acceptance speech, called on everyone to work together to achieve goals, enhance the institute’s reputation, and contribute to the economic development of Nigeria.
While he highlighted his plans during his reign, he said the CITN will, over the next two years, deliberately focus its advocacy on the government, tax authorities, taxpayers, and relevant stakeholders.
Immediate Past President, Samuel Agbeluyi, while wishing Ohagwa well during his tenure, sought the full support and cooperation of members and other critical stakeholders for a better administration.
