BY COBHAM NSA – Robust and thriving partnerships between tax authorities and the media is required to drive enhanced revenue generation for sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria.
According to stakeholders in the tax sector, such collaboration must focus on gingering public engagement, awareness creation, transparency, and accountability, while balancing critique with reportage of progress and reforms.
These were the outcome of a one-day Media Sensitization programme in the North-Central geo-political zone organised by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) in Abuja with participants acknowledging the pivotal role of the media in demystifying the country’s tax policies and reforms needed for economic growth.
With the theme; “The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance”, the event was packaged by Aderonke Atoyebi, the Technical Assistant (Broadcast Media) to the Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, who harped on the need to improve public comprehension of tax policies and reforms, as well as promote voluntary compliance among Nigerian taxpayers.
She stated that an informed and engaged media remain crucial in addressing issues around taxation, particularly in the North Central region that faces significant developmental challenges despite its diversity and abundant resources
Atoyebi said the sensitization programme extends beyond just promoting the FIRS’s initiatives as it seeks to clarify policies, initiatives, and the data underlying them, adding that the aim is to enable the media convey tax-related information to the public in a more meaningful manner.
While canvassing open dialogue, critical inquiry, and enhanced collaboration, Atoyebi emphaiszed that the media must not neglect its role as an essential channel to bridge the gap between the populace and policymakers.
The programme featured two technical presentations by Bright Igbinosa, Head of the Tax Reform Analysis Unit in the FIRS’ Fiscal and Tax Reform Division, and Professor Iroye Samuel Opeyemi from the Department of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)
In his presentation on “Bridging the Gap Between Tax Policy and the People through the Media”, Igbinosa highlighted some components of Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, including harmonization of tax laws, modernization of the tax system, and simplification of legal frameworks.
He also stressed the importance of taxpayer education in enhancing compliance, reducing enforcement burden, and building trust in government.
On his part, Prof Opeyemi, whose paper was tagged; “The Role of Data-Driven Media Campaigns in Improving Voluntary Tax Compliance”, emphasized the use of data analytics to segment taxpayers by behavior, geography, and compliance history.
The Professor of Strategic Studies and Conflict Resolution also stressed the importance of digital transparency and secure platforms in building trust and reducing tax evasion as well as the automation of messaging using SMS, email, and social media for wider and more efficient outreach.
In his special intervention, Professor Nduka Anthony Otiono from Carleton University, emphasized the critical role of data-driven media in shaping public perception, noting that the media are the translators of tax policy, and without their professional and data-informed mediation, tax reforms risk being misunderstood or ignored.
Otiono, a journalist, creative writer, and scholar, urged practitioners to deploy credible data to tell stories that bridge the gap between technical policy language and public understanding.
Delivering his closing remarks at the occasion, FIRS’ Director of Communication and Liaison Department, Dr. Abdullahi Ahmad said the media must balance critique with reportage of progress and reforms.
While reaffirming that the media and tax authorities are partners in national development, Ahmad urged practitioners to consult data, seek clarifications, and maintain ethical standards before publishing tax-related information.
In specific terms, the communique stated that the Media Sensitization Programme was convened with the following objectives: “To create awareness about ongoing tax reforms and policy directions in Nigeria; To highlight the strategic role of the media in communicating tax policy and fostering voluntary compliance; and To promote the use of data-driven campaigns in reaching and segmenting taxpayers.”
It also aimed; “To educate media professionals on the importance of simplifying tax concepts for the public; and encourage collaboration between tax authorities, reform institutions, and the media in promoting tax morale.”
Key takeaways and resolutions following the robust engagement by the stakeholders were Strategic Use of the Media to simplify complex tax information, Mainstreaming Data in Communication, Simplification of tax language, addressing trust deficit between citizens and government, especially rebuilding institutional trust.
Also on the table were issues of Data-Driven Campaigns, Localized and inclusive messaging tailored to specific regions, sustained public enlightenment, as well as collaboration and ethical reporting by the media.
With the Stakeholders acknowledging the need to strengthen existing collaboration between media and tax institutions, it was agreed that media practitioners should always seek clarification before publishing tax-related stories, to avoid misinformation and preserve public trust.
