The Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Lanre Issa-Onilu, has said that tax reforms are essential for funding national development and improving public services.
Speaking on Wednesday in Bauchi during the launch of a nationwide sensitisation campaign on five critical national issues, including the contentious Tax Reform Bill, Issa-Onilu emphasised the importance of awareness and understanding of the reforms.
The campaign, themed “Promoting Awareness, Ethical Values, and National Development,” is meant to address challenges and promote unity.
Acknowledging public concerns, Issa-Onilu noted: “We recognise that multiple taxation and its impact on low-income earners remain significant issues. The government is committed to implementing reforms to make the tax system fairer and less burdensome for citizens.”
Represented by Nuru Yusuf Kobi, the Director of Planning, Research, and Strategy at NOA headquarters, Issa-Onilu stressed that the four tax reform bills aimed at consolidating and simplifying Nigeria’s tax system through new legislation that merges existing laws into a more cohesive framework.
Issa-Onilu assured Nigerians that the government is committed to making the tax system fairer and less burdensome.
He highlighted the benefits of the reforms, which include eliminating double taxation, providing relief for low-income earners, and simplifying tax processes through the adoption of digital systems.
These measures, he noted, will ensure transparency, make tax payments easier and more efficient, and channel revenues into improving essential public services such as schools, hospitals, and infrastructure.
“These reforms are designed to ease the burden on hard-working Nigerians while ensuring everyone contributes fairly,” Issa-Onilu stated.
“By supporting these efforts, we can create a tax system that not only works for all but also funds development projects that will enhance our nation’s progress.”
Tax reforms crucial for national growth — NOA