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| Chairman of CITN Uyo and District Society, Dcns. Idorenyin Charles William, FCTI, flanked by Chairman, AKIRS, Mr. Okon Okon; Chairman of the occasion, Elder Isaiah Ntekim, FCTI and others |
By Kufre Akpakpan, Emmanuel Hanson and Uliang Essang
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Uyo and District Society, in collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), on Friday, June 26, 2026 organised a one-day tax awareness seminar aimed at promoting voluntary tax compliance and supporting national development.
The seminar, held at the ICT Hall of the Office of the Accountant General in Uyo, brought together tax professionals, government officials, business owners and other stakeholders under the theme, "Tax Awareness for National Growth: Reforms, Compliance and Shared Prosperity."
In her welcome address, the Chairman of CITN Uyo and District Society, Dcns. Idorenyin Charles William, FCTI, welcomed participants and underscored the importance of tax education in strengthening Nigeria's revenue base and fostering sustainable economic development through improved compliance.
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| Dcns Idorenyin Charles William giving a remark |
Delivering the keynote address, the Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, highlighted the critical role of tax reforms and compliance in driving sustainable economic growth and national prosperity.
He commended the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria for organising the nationwide tax awareness campaign and selecting a theme that reflects the importance of taxation to national development.
According to him, taxation remains the foundation of sustainable governance, while the current reforms are designed to simplify tax administration, eliminate multiple taxation, broaden the tax base and improve the ease of doing business across the country.
Okon further emphasised that, "we should tax fruits, not seeds; tax wealth, not poverty," adding that "data is the king" in promoting transparency, compliance and efficient tax administration. He also cited Anambra State as an example of prudent utilisation of taxpayers' funds to deliver visible infrastructure and social development.
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| Mr. Okon Okon delivering the Keynote |
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Elder Isaiah Ntekim, FCTI, stressed the importance of the country's ongoing tax reforms in enhancing public understanding and encouraging voluntary compliance. He observed that many taxpayers, including tax professionals, were still seeking clarity on the reforms, noting that the seminar provided an opportunity for experts to explain the changes.
"It's not about increasing the taxes. It's just that a lot of us who are supposed to pay tax have failed to comply," he said.
Participants also received a technical presentation by Mr. Ifiok O. Udo, FCTI, Managing Partner of Ifiok Udo & Co., on the seminar's theme, "Tax Awareness for National Growth: Reforms, Compliance and Shared Prosperity." He stressed the need for increased public awareness and voluntary compliance with tax obligations as essential drivers of national growth.
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| Attendees at the event |
Another paper was presented by Mr. Victor Idakpokpo, Deputy General Manager, Tax Administration and Advisory, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, on the topic, "Nigeria 2025 Tax Reforms: Impact on Business Compliance, Taxpayer Obligations and Revenue Generation." He examined the implications of the recent tax reforms for businesses and taxpayers, outlined strategies for improving compliance and enhancing revenue generation, and noted that the new tax reforms exempt gifts from taxation.
The seminar also featured interactive panel discussions and question-and-answer sessions, providing participants with the opportunity to engage tax experts on issues relating to taxation, compliance and the implementation of the new reforms.
Organisers expressed optimism that the seminar would deepen public tax awareness, encourage voluntary compliance and contribute to improved revenue generation in support of both national and state development goals.
The event was preceeded by a street walk the previous day, with members of the CITN Uyo and District Society taking the message of prompt tax payment to markets and city centres.
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