By: Mukhtar Yahaya Shehu
A Non governmental organization Independent Tax Volunteers has reiterated its commitment to work with Federal Inland Revenue Service and state governments revenue in the improving Tax Education across the country.
The project lead, independent Tax Volunteers programme professor Abdullahi Ya’u stated this during the press briefing in Kano
He said initiative aims to strengthen tax education, deepen voluntary compliance, empower young professionals, and support Nigeria’s ongoing efforts toward sustainable domestic revenue mobilisation.
“Over the years, it has become clear that one of the biggest obstacles to Nigeria’s revenue performance is not simply unwillingness to pay taxes, but widespread lack of understanding of tax obligations – especially among individuals, micro businesses, and operators in the informal sector. Many citizens show intent to comply, but lack the guidance, support, and access to accurate information. At the same time, our tax authorities at all levels are faced with capacity limitations that make it difficult to reach millions of taxpayers across communities.” He said
According to Professor Abdullahi Ya’u It is in response to these long-standing challenges that BRASS conceived the Independent Tax Volunteers (ITV) Programme a people-centred, community-driven initiative designed to recruit, train, and deploy thousands of volunteers nationwide to help citizens understand and fulfil their tax obligations.
Adding that, the independent Tax volunteers to collaborate with Governments to Provide free tax education across communities, markets, institutions, and local government areas, especially in this tax reforms regime. Assist individuals and small businesses with TIN registration, basic filing steps, and compliance awareness.
Support digital onboarding onto platforms like TaxPro Max and state e-tax systems.
Conduct community-level sensitisation sessions to demystify taxes and enhance trust between citizens and government.
Equip thousands of young graduates and students with practical tax advisory skills that improve their employability.
Offer on-the-spot tax advisory and record-keeping guidance to MSMEs and informal sector operators.
Deploy both physical and digital helpdesks, including WhatsApp, mobile apps, and a clearinghouse for advisory information.
Professor Abdullahi Ya’u pointed out that, One of the most strategic contributions of the ITV Programme is its function as a structured feedback mechanism between taxpayers and tax authorities.
“Our volunteers, working at community level, will gather taxpayer feedback, challenges, bottlenecks, digital access issues, and compliance barriers. These insights will be analysed and shared with relevant tax institutions – including FIRS, State Internal Revenue Services, and Local Government authorities to support data-driven policies, improved service delivery, and smarter administrative reforms.” He added
According to Professor Ya’u this means the ITV will-not only educate the taxpayers, but will also help tax agencies improve their systems, communication, and taxpayer experience through real-time evidence from the field.
” At a time when governments at all levels are prioritising internally generated revenue (IGR), it is essential that revenue expansion be rooted in fairness, transparency, simplicity, and voluntary compliance. Coercive approaches alone cannot deliver sustainable results. What Nigeria needs is an informed taxpayer population and strengthened collaboration between citizens and the tax system.
The ITV Programme is therefore timely and aligned with national economic reform efforts, the Federal Government’s revenue optimisation strategies, and global best practices as seen in the United States, Canada, Ghana, Australia, and other jurisdictions where tax volunteer systems have succeeded.”
“Our Implementation Plan Over the first phase of this initiative, the ITV Programme plans to: Recruit and certify 7,500 volunteers nationwide.
Conduct taxpayer education for up to 500,000 people annually.
Establish local, government-based volunteer hubs.
Set up digital advisory channels accessible across Nigeria.” Prof. Ya’u emphasized
Our model is cost-effective, sustainable, and built on broad partnerships.
Professor Ya’u further said all Independent Tax Volunteers will be formally listed in the Independent Register of Community Services (IRCS). Adding that this global register is accessible anywhere in the world and serves as a verifiable record of a person’s contributions to their community. By being included in the IRCS, every volunteer will gain recognition as a responsible citizen whose service can be easily validated by institutions, employers, and partners.
He pointed out that FIRS and State IRS agencies to collaborate with ITV in training, technical guidance, and data validation.
Local Governments also to support ITV community outreaches.
Universities and polytechnics to encourage their students to join the programme.
The media, especially the Nigeria Union of Journalists, to help communicate the importance of taxpayer education and voluntary compliance.
