FIRS seeks media synergy in tax Awareness and Compliance
Nigeria’s apex Tax administrator, the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) has sought the synergy of media professionals in areas of awareness and tax compliance in the wake of new laws recently signed by the President Tinubu-led administration.
Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant (Broadcast Media) to the Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, , made the appeal at a media sensitisation programme on ‘The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance’, held in Abuja.
The sensitization programme saw media professionals, scholars and civil society organizations coming together to deliberate on the role of the media in enhancing public understanding of the ongoing tax reforms and voluntary compliance.
Atoyebi noted that there was need to collaborate with the media to amplify policy impact and build trust, most especially the North Central region which is rich in diversity and resources yet having its own critical developmental challenges.
She said the essence of the programme was to clarify certain policies, initiatives, and the data that informs them, enabling the media to disseminate tax matters more meaningfully both to the citizens and the general public.
She however encouraged open dialogue, critical questioning, and deeper collaboration, affirming that the media serves as a vital bridge between the people and decision-makers.
The programme featured two technical presentations by Bright Igbinosa, Head of the Tax Reform Analysis Unit, Fiscal and Tax Reform Division of the FIRS, and Prof. Iroye Samuel Opeyemi of Strategic Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University of Nigeria.
The presentations dwelt on promoting the use of data-driven campaigns in reaching and segmenting taxpayers and to educate media professionals on the importance of simplifying tax concepts for the public and notably the tax payers.
