Only 19 percent of Nigerians currently comply with tax obligations, the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has revealed.
The disclosure came during the launch of a new children’s book on taxation, “Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children”, aimed at fostering early understanding of civic duties. The FIRS supported the publication of the book, which was authored by Aderonke Atoyebi and Ejura Haruna.
Speaking at the event through his Special Adviser on Research and Statistics, Aisha Mahmoud, Adedeji said the FIRS conducted several studies which highlighted the alarmingly low rate of tax compliance in the country.
“We have run a couple of studies and we have found out that tax compliance is positively correlated with tax education,” Adedeji stated. “Only 19 percent of Nigerians pay taxes, and some reports suggest the figure could be as low as 10 to 15 percent.”
He emphasized that it is easier to nurture tax-compliant behavior in children than to change the attitudes of adults already set in their ways. “That is why we support initiatives like this book—to educate the younger generation early,” he added.
The launch comes as Nigeria’s federal government intensifies efforts to broaden its tax base and improve revenue generation amidst economic challenges.
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu, in his speech marking two years in office, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tax reform. He announced the creation of a Tax Ombudsman to protect vulnerable taxpayers and promote transparency and fairness in the system.
“Most importantly, we are laying the foundation for a more sustainable future by introducing a new national fiscal policy,” Tinubu said. “This strategic framework will guide our approach to fair taxation, responsible borrowing, and disciplined spending.”
The event and the government’s reform efforts signal a shift toward increased civic education and accountability in Nigeria’s tax system.
