FIRS Launches Radio Sensitization Programme to Boost Tax Compliance
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a grassroots radio sensitization programme aimed at simplifying tax education and boosting compliance among Nigerians from all walks of life, including market traders and tech entrepreneurs.
The programme, which was unveiled at an event in Abuja on Friday, May 23, aims to break down complex tax processes for informal and underserved groups.
Top FIRS officials emphasized that taxation was not just a civic obligation but a vital contributor to everyday public services.
Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila, Director of the Communication and Liaison Department, stressed the need to make tax education accessible to all, including the use of local languages and Pidgin English in radio broadcasts.
Ismaila explained that the average market woman needs to understand basic tax concepts, such as TaxPro Max, Tax Clearance Certificates, and e-invoicing.
He expressed optimism that increased use of electronic platforms and targeted public engagement would drive future growth, despite a slight decline in tax revenue from ₦20.1 trillion in 2023 to ₦19.6 trillion in 2024.
Dr. Loveth Ononuga, Director of the Taxpayers’ Service Department, responded to public skepticism about tax utilization, highlighting that taxes fund essential public services, such as road construction, security forces’ salaries, hospital operations, and education projects. She noted that 85% of VAT collections are shared with states and local governments, promising that FIRS will develop radio content to show exactly how tax revenue is spent.
Mr. Olaolu Makinde, Head of the Technical Office, urged journalists and civil society to play an active role in promoting tax literacy and transparency.
He explained the technical aspects of tax payment and emphasized the need for the media to help citizens understand how the tax system works and hold public officials accountable.
The new FIRS radio initiative aims to make tax relatable, real, and relevant, one broadcast at a time.
The programme is expected to change how taxpayers view their taxes and how they are spent. The event ended on a successful note, and it remains to be seen how this programme will impact tax compliance and education in Nigeria.
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We need the media to help citizens understand how the tax system works and hold public officials accountable.” – Mr. Olaolu Makinde, Head of the Technical Office
