BY COBHAM NSA – It is cheering news for Tax Practitioners in the country as the Accountant General of the Federation, Dr Shamisldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi, has pledged to support their recognition and professionalisation within Nigeria’s civil service structure.
According to Dr Ogunjimi, given their expertise and proficiency, tax professionals deserve recognition in the civil service structure comparable to that accorded lawyers, doctors and other specialised fields.
He made the pledge when a delegation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), led by its President, Mr Innocent C. Ohagwa, visited his office in Abuja recently.
A statement by Bawa Mokwa, Director of Press and Public Relations, quoted the Accountant General as saying that the request for a dedicated career path for tax professionals, with entry at Grade Level 10, would be formally presented to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation for consideration and further processing.
Dr Ogunjimi, who also spoke on Nigeria’s fiscal outlook, said the recently enacted Tax Reform Acts provide a historic opportunity to reshape the nation’s revenue framework, stressing that effective implementation of the reforms would boost revenue generation, block leakages and reposition the economy for sustainable growth.
Additionally, he said plans are underway to transform the Treasury Academy in Orozo into a world-class training institute to produce accountants of international standard.
This is as he promised that the move will strengthen professionalism and enhance capacity for improved revenue mobilisation into the Federation account.
In his remarks during the visit, the CITN President, Mr Ohagwa, while congratulating AGF Ogunjimi on his well-deserved appointment, described it as an attestation of “competence and years of meritorious service.”
Ohagwa solicited the AGF’s support in securing formal career progression for tax practitioners in the civil service, noting that the critical role of taxation in Nigeria’s economic development.
Similarly, the CITN boss canvassed robust partnership between the Office of the Accountant General (OAGF) and the Institute, especially in the areas of training and capacity building.
For him, such collaboration and synergy would align Nigeria’s tax administration with global best practices and ongoing fiscal reforms for sustainable socio-economic growth and development of the country.
