The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a grassroots radio sensitisation campaign aimed at simplifying tax education and boosting compliance across Nigeria.
Unveiling the initiative in Abuja, Director of the Communication and Liaison Department, Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila emphasised that taxation is not just a civic duty but a key driver of public services.
He noted the agency’s efforts to break down complex tax processes for informal and underserved sectors.
“The average market woman needs to understand what TaxPro Max is. She needs to know how to get a Tax Clearance Certificate and understand e-invoicing,” he said.
Dr. Ismaila added that radio broadcasts in local languages and Pidgin will be used to demystify tax procedures, while listener feedback will help shape future programming.
Also speaking, Director of Taxpayers’ Service Department, Loveth Ononuga, addressed public scepticism about whether taxes benefit the people.
“You drove on a road to get here. Did the road just make itself? It’s taxpayer money,” she said, stressing that police salaries, military equipment, and hospitals are all funded by taxes.
Ononuga urged Nigerians to pay closer attention to the visible outcomes of their tax contributions.
“TETFund projects in schools? That’s taxpayers’ money. VAT? 85% of it is shared with states and local governments,” she added, revealing that FIRS will begin producing content that shows how tax revenue is utilised.
Also contributing, Head of the Technical Office, Mr. Olaolu Makinde underscored the media’s role in driving awareness and education to ensure a smooth tax process nationwide.
He called on journalists and advocacy groups to help demystify Nigeria’s tax structure and hold stakeholders accountable.
The event was hosted by Arabirin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman.
She highlighted the strategic importance of radio in reaching grassroots audiences.
“We are very intentional about our radio programmes because people in the grassroots mainly rely on radio,” Atoyebi said.
She encouraged broadcasters to maintain professionalism and accuracy in tax reporting.
“Tax reporting is very technical… a single word can mislead the public,” she warned, assuring continued support from FIRS leadership.
As FIRS intensifies efforts to change public perception and improve compliance, the message is clear: taxation builds roads, funds education, equips security forces—and through radio, that message is being delivered directly to the people it matters to most.
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