Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has called for a more humane, transparent and coordinated approach to tax administration, urging tax managers across the South-East to prioritise staff training, taxpayer education and advisory services as Nigeria embarks on tax reforms.
The governor made the call on Thursday at the South-East Zonal Sensitisation Programme organised by the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in collaboration with the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, Governor Mbah acknowledged that taxation in developing economies has historically been met with resistance due to colonial-era perceptions that portrayed tax as punitive.
Deputy Gov, Ifeanyi Ossai , represented Gov Mbah
“Taxation has always been thrust with difficulties, protests and resentment in developing economies, but I am happy that the current leadership at both federal and state levels is making conscious efforts to explain to our people that taxation is a fundamental responsibility of citizenship,” he said.
The governor stressed that beyond policy pronouncements, the real challenge lies in implementation, particularly in the daily interactions between tax officials and citizens.
He called for continuous engagement and training of frontline revenue officers to ensure that the spirit of reform is reflected in practice.
“It is exciting to listen to beautiful speeches in gatherings like this, but in reality, implementation is where the work lies. There must be constant engagement between leadership and lower-level staff that interact daily with taxpayers,” he added.
Governor Mbah urged the CITN to consider establishing pro bono advisory services at its zonal offices to guide small businesses and individuals on their tax rights and obligations, noting that many taxpayers fall victim to unscrupulous consultants due to lack of proper guidance.
Participants
He also encouraged greater public awareness of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, describing it as an independent body where aggrieved taxpayers can seek redress.
“People must know that there are institutional safeguards that protect them. In a democratic culture, citizens should be aware that they can challenge decisions if they feel aggrieved,” he said.
The governor noted that provisions in the current tax laws, including exemptions for certain income brackets, are designed to reduce tension among low-income earners. However, he said such exemptions also place a responsibility on government to create opportunities that will enable citizens move up the economic ladder.
“The brackets that have been exempted put pressure on us to create opportunities that will migrate our people from low income levels to where they can earn enough to contribute,” he stated.
He emphasised that job creation and business-friendly policies must go hand in hand with tax enforcement. To support honest small-scale operators, Mbah advised tax offices to create flexible assessment windows and consider simplified documentation for those who may lack the resources to hire professional accountants.
While commending moves toward electronic filing and digital tax processes, he cautioned that authorities must also make provisions for businesses operating in areas with limited internet access to avoid exclusion.
Declaring the event open, the governor encouraged tax administrators to remain steadfast despite the challenges associated with revenue mobilisation.
In his welcome address, the 17th President and Chairman of Council of CITN, Innocent . Ohagwa, FCTI, described the sensitisation programme as part of the Institute’s nationwide effort to demystify the new Tax Reform Acts and promote voluntary compliance.
He commended Governor Mbah for creating an enabling environment that links governance, economic activity and effective revenue mobilisation.
He also praised the Executive Chairman of ESIRS, Ekene Nnamani, FCTI, for what he described as “uncommon brilliance and excellence in tax administration,” noting that Enugu’s performance reflects professionalism and strong institutional leadership.
Ekene Nnamani , Executive Chairman ESIRS
Earlier in his address, the Executive Chairman of ESIRS,.Ekene Nnamani, said the sensitisation program became necessary following a survey that ranked the South-East lowest in tax education and knowledge of the new tax law, despite nationwide awareness campaigns by the Presidential Committee on Tax Reform.
He said the event brought together participants from the five South-East states, including business owners, manufacturers, employers’ associations, lecturers, members of the Tax Appeal Tribunal and the Joint Revenue Board, to deepen understanding of the new law and correct widespread misinformation.
According to him, the programme aims to reassure taxpayers about the provisions of the new tax regime and demonstrate how it benefits citizens, reduce fear, misconceptions, and ultimately boost compliance.
He said the theme of the programme, “Strengthening Tax Administration in Nigeria’s Federating States: A Coordinated Approach to Implementing the Tax Reform Agenda,” underscores the need for alignment among states to eliminate double taxation, reduce compliance costs and build a predictable, fair and growth-oriented tax system.
He called for transparency, trust and accountability
Stakeholders at the event agreed that sustainable revenue growth depends not only on strong laws, but on informed taxpayers, well-equipped administrators and mutual trust between government and citizens.
