Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has emphasized the urgent need for reforms in Nigerias tax administration system, citing taxpayers attitudes towards taxation as a key challenge.
Idris made this statement while serving as Chairman at the 2024 Annual Public Lecture, (AGM), and Awards of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kaduna State chapter.
The event, held under the theme: Tax Reform: The Role of Public Relations in Fostering Constructive Dialogue for National Economic Renaissance, brought together stakeholders to discuss the proposed Tax Reform Bills currently before the National Assembly.
The Minister highlighted the importance of reforming the tax system to enhance national economic growth, underscoring the critical role of public relations in facilitating meaningful dialogue and fostering public trust.
He stated that the theme has brought to the fore, yet again, the place of constructive dialogue as a vital pillar of democracy while noting that the ongoing review of the countrys tax laws is timely and crucial, especially as part of a larger set of macro-economic reforms, just as he commended the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reform for an excellent job, in terms of public engagement.
Earlier, the NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku pleaded the institutes support for the expected reality and implementation of the tax reform in the country by using the vocal voices of the Institute across the country.
Also the Lead Discussant, Professor Mustapha Bagudo Muhammad gave a thorough insight into the numerous advantages of the reform while all the Panelists including Senator Shehu Sani, Professor Cosmos Eze and Professor Hauwau Evelyn Yusuf all gave their nod to the proposed tax reform.
Senator Sani, in his submission, said countries like Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have started taking measures to address their post oil feature, adding that the Tax Reform is one of the very important steps for Nigeria and Nigerian economic feature.
Speaking also, Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and former Chairman Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna State, Rev. Dr. John Joseph Hayab, both argued that the tax reform was necessary, however called for more awareness creation and sensitization.
