FIRS Urges Citizens to Embrace Voluntary Tax Compliance for National Development
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has called on Nigerians to adopt voluntary tax compliance, emphasizing that taxes are essential for national development. Without proper taxation, no country can achieve sustainable growth.
The call was made by FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, represented by his Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, on Wednesday during a one-day sensitization programme in Kaduna titled “The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance.”
Adedeji highlighted that taxes are the lifeline of every nation, funding critical infrastructure such as hospitals, schools, roads, and social services that directly affect citizens’ lives.
“Taxes are not just government revenue; they are the foundation of national growth,” he said. “We need a culture where citizens willingly fulfill their civic duty because they see the benefits and trust the system.”
He noted that many Nigerians still perceive taxation as a burden or punishment, underscoring the importance of public enlightenment campaigns. Adedeji stressed that beyond enforcement, building trust and accountability encourages voluntary compliance.
The FIRS chairman also emphasized the crucial role of journalists in promoting tax compliance, describing the media as a bridge between government and citizens. “When the media educates, investigates, and holds leaders accountable, it builds trust. Citizens who believe in the fairness and transparency of the system are more likely to comply,” he said.
Read Also:
Dr. Mohammed Adamu, in his presentation “Voluntary Tax Compliance: A Pathway to Sustainable Development in Nigeria,” defined voluntary compliance as taxpayers’ willingness to declare income, file returns, and pay taxes without enforcement. He added that it reduces enforcement costs, strengthens trust, ensures steady revenue flow, and fosters patriotism.
“Tax revenues fund our roads, schools, hospitals, and security. A compliant taxpayer is a stakeholder in national progress,” Adamu said, noting that voluntary compliance also enhances investor confidence and curbs tax evasion.
Highlighting the drivers of compliance, Adamu identified fairness in tax administration, transparency, accountability, and taxpayer education as critical. He praised FIRS initiatives such as the TaxPro Max platform, amnesty programmes, and taxpayer service units as positive steps toward fostering compliance.
In another presentation, Ishaku Ankuma, Senior Manager, Tax at the Kaduna Government Business Office, emphasized key practices for voluntary compliance, including timely registration, accurate record-keeping, filing returns, prompt payment, and remittance of withholding taxes. He warned that failure to comply attracts fines, interest, possible criminal charges, and reputational damage, adding that tax compliance certificates are now required for many financial transactions.
Ankuma further stressed the importance of taxpayer education, automation of tax processes, and youth-focused programmes like Catch Them Young in schools to instill a culture of tax responsibility from an early age.
The programme concluded with a charge to journalists to demystify taxation, educate the public on its benefits, expose evasion, and help foster a culture of voluntary compliance across Nigeria.
By PRNigeria
