_...Takes awareness to ALGON_
Priscilla Akpanettot
The Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS) on Friday, December 12, 2025 took the sensitization on the new tax reforms to the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Akwa Ibom State.
The sensitization was part of AKIRS' efforts at ensuring that critical stakeholders and members of the public are adequately informed of the provisions of the reforms ahead of its full implementation in January, 2026.
Held at the Conference Hall of the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, the engagement highlighted the need for the reforms and expected significant outcomes, following it's implementation.
Addressing the Association, Chairman, AKIRS, Sir Okon Okon, noted that the new national tax reforms will bring great relief to many Nigerians, boost economic activities, and drive growth and development across the country.
He listed some impacts of the new tax reforms on Local Governments to include: significant improvement in IGR; more efficient revenue administration, seamless harmonization and collaboration with State systems and structures; removal of roadblocks for revenue collection and elimination of multiple taxation.
Among other advantages, Okon Okon said the new regime will also boost the State's fiscal position as VAT formula has been revised from 50% to 55%; strengthen revenue administration and professionalism; eliminate consumption tax, offer improved business environment, and more profitable activities for SMEs, etc.
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| Sir Okon Okon during his presentation |
He noted that part of the ongoing engagements was to dispel misconceptions, help taxpayers see the benefits, and to seek collaboration with critical stakeholders in propagating the right message.
He stressed that there was no need for anxiety over the tax reforms as the new tax regime was intentionally designed to simplify the national tax system, check multiple taxation, and curtail the activities of non State actors and nuisance taxes.
Sir Okon, a Member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms further noted that the existing tax system which was rooted in colonial and archaic laws was marked by fiscal imbalance, inconsistent tax framework across jurisdictions, and multiple tax identifiers that adversely affected compliance by individuals and corporate organizations.
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| Sir Okon Okon flanked by members of ALGON |
According to Okon, also a Fellow and Council Member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), the reforms have birthed four new tax Acts designed to consolidate and streamline tax administration in the country, namely, the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) Establishment Act 2025, which replaces the Joint Tax Board (JTB); the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Establishment Act 2025, that replaces the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); the Nigeria Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025; and the Nigeria Tax Acts (NTA) 2025. These, he noted, come with reliefs for many Nigerians, including low-income-friendly-thresholds, personal income tax exemptions for those earning below one million naira annually; promotion of efficient, unified, tech-driven tax administration; while basic services and commodities such as food, education, health, rents, transport, etc, will attract zero percent VAT.
These measures, he argued, will ease pressure on individuals and households, while the introduction of a national Tax Identification Number (TIN) will boost compliance and catalyse economic planning at both national and subnational levels.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Uyo Local Government Council, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo who doubles as the Chairman of ALGON, Akwa Ibom State, thanked and commended AKIRS for bringing the sensitization to them.
He acknowledged that the exercise has updated and broadened their knowledge of the new Tax Reforms and commended the Governor for facilitating the sensitization.
He further lauded Governor Umo Eno for the people-oriented leadership and judicious management of the State's resources which he said have acted as morale booster for compliance by the citizenry.
The Friday's engagement with ALCON came after similar event had been held in recent times with professional organizations like MDA, NBA, ANAN, ICSAN, etc, including investors and business associations in preparation for the January 1, 2026 deadline for implementation of the New Tax Regime.






































