The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has raised concerns that the Federal Government and state authorities may not meet revenue targets due to persistent reliance on outdated manual tax collection systems.

The warning came yesterday during the Pre-induction Orientation Programme in Abuja, where the institute welcomed new members to bolster Nigeria’s taxation framework.

In his keynote address, CITN’s President, Samuel Agbeluyi, decried the inefficiencies plaguing tax administration in Nigeria, citing manual processes prone to errors and fraud as major obstacles.

“Many states struggle to meet revenue targets because of outdated systems. Citizens are less likely to pay taxes if they doubt their contributions fund meaningful development,” he said.

The programme aimed at onboarding 2,000 new members, equipping them with technical expertise to drive tax reforms, Agbeluyi said.

“Your participation is a deliberate move to acquire the knowledge and skills set by the CITN Council to ensure you become well-rounded tax professionals,” he told attendees.

The CITN president noted the institute’s push for digitalisation to address systemic inefficiencies.

“Manual systems cannot capture the full scope of taxable activities in today’s economy,” he explained, advocating for the adoption of information and communication technology (ICT) to streamline processes, enhance accuracy and curb fraud.

The training featured sessions led by seasoned tax practitioners, focusing on practical scenarios to prepare inductees for real-world challenges.

Agbeluyi noted that while some states are progressing in digitising tax collections, others lag due to structural deficiencies.

“Your role is to help all states reach their potential by implementing robust, transparent frameworks,” he urged the new members, who are expected to support federal, state and local governments in improving tax collection.