The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has urged Nigerians to view tax payment as a civic duty that supports national growth rather than a punishment.
Speaking at a one-day sensitisation programme on The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance in Kaduna on Wednesday, FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, represented by his Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, said tax revenues remain the backbone of every country’s development.
“Taxes are not just government revenue; they are the foundation of growth in our nation,” Adedeji said.
“What we need is a culture of voluntary compliance where citizens willingly fulfil their civic duty because they see the benefits and trust the system.”
He explained that taxes fund hospitals, roads, schools, and social services that directly affect citizens’ lives, but many Nigerians still see taxation as a burden. He added that building trust and accountability would encourage more people to pay voluntarily.
Adedeji highlighted the role of the media in promoting tax education and public understanding.
“When the media educates, investigates, and holds leaders accountable, it builds trust. A citizen who believes in the fairness and transparency of the system is more likely to comply,” he said.
In her remarks, Atoyebi described journalists as not only reporters but also educators and influencers who can inspire civic responsibility and strengthen the relationship between taxpayers and government.
Delivering a paper titled Voluntary Tax Compliance: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Nigeria, Dr Mohammed Adamu described taxation as the most reliable source of government revenue.
He defined voluntary compliance as the readiness of taxpayers to declare income, file returns, and pay taxes without enforcement.
“Tax revenues fund our roads, schools, hospitals, and security. A compliant taxpayer is a stakeholder in national progress,” Adamu said.
He stressed that compliance reduces enforcement costs, fosters patriotism, and boosts investor confidence.
He identified fairness in tax administration, taxpayer education, transparency, and accountability as key drivers of compliance.
He also commended initiatives such as the FIRS TaxPro Max platform, amnesty programmes, and taxpayer service units.
In another presentation, Senior Manager, Tax, Kaduna Government Business Office, Ishaku Ankuma, emphasised record-keeping, timely filing of returns, prompt payment, and remittance of withholding taxes as central to compliance.
“Voluntary tax compliance is not just a legal requirement but a civic responsibility and patriotic act,” Ankuma said.
He warned that failure to comply attracts fines, interests, possible criminal charges, and damage to reputation.
He added that compliance certificates are now required for many financial transactions.
He also underscored the need for youth-focused initiatives such as Catch Them Young programmes in schools to build a tax culture early.
The event ended with a call to journalists to demystify taxation, highlight its benefits, and expose evasion in order to strengthen public trust and promote a culture of compliance.
