The Federal Government has clarified that its ongoing tax reforms are not aimed at increasing tax rates but at expanding the country’s tax base by ensuring that more eligible Nigerians fulfil their tax obligations.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, made the clarification on Thursday while receiving a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) at his office in Abuja.
Oyedele commended the institute for introducing a National Tax Awareness Day, describing the initiative as a timely step towards improving tax education and supporting the Federal Government’s ongoing tax reform agenda.
He urged the CITN to intensify public awareness campaigns, noting that many Nigerians still perceive taxation as a mechanism for the government to take money from citizens rather than a civic responsibility that drives national development.
According to the minister, the government’s priority is to widen the tax net by bringing more eligible taxpayers into the system instead of imposing higher tax rates.
“We are still not getting enough revenue from taxes. It is not about increasing taxes but making sure that those who are supposed to pay tax pay. We want to promote fairness in tax administration,” Oyedele said.
He stressed that broadening tax compliance would enhance government revenue while ensuring a fairer and more efficient tax administration system across the country.