FG, FIRS Commence Grassroots Tax Awareness in Ibadan

The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has launched a nationwide tax education campaign, starting in Ibadan, Oyo State. The initiative is designed to educate and engage Nigerians at the grassroots level, particularly traders, artisans, and other informal sector operators, on the benefits and obligations of tax reforms recently introduced under the current administration.

The outreach programme, held across major markets and public areas in Ibadan, aims to simplify tax-related information for the general public. Officials engaged directly with local business owners and residents, distributing educational materials, offering clarifications, and encouraging voluntary compliance with national tax laws. The campaign forms part of the broader objectives of the current government to deepen tax literacy, widen the tax net, and boost internally generated revenue through inclusive means.

The tax awareness drive was led by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southwest), Moremi Ojudu, who stressed the need for citizens to understand the tax reforms not just in theory, but in practical terms that affect their daily lives. She noted that a lack of knowledge had contributed to distrust and reluctance towards tax compliance in many communities, particularly among small business owners.

According to her, the campaign aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is aimed at ensuring every Nigerian feels included in national development. “This is not about force or threats. It is about educating our people, especially market women, okada riders, tailors, and other everyday workers. We want them to know what is expected of them and what they stand to benefit by paying their taxes,” she said.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, in its part, emphasised that this sensitisation effort is also a response to long-standing complaints from citizens about the complexity of tax processes, as well as cases of multiple taxation by various tiers of government. By taking tax education directly to the people in their local languages and familiar settings, the FIRS hopes to bridge the information gap and encourage trust in government institutions.

Many of the market participants expressed appreciation for the outreach. Some admitted they had never fully understood how taxation applied to them or how to comply, while others said they were unaware that certain reforms had exempted low-income earners and micro businesses from tax liabilities. With the information now available to them, many pledged to seek proper registration and comply with tax expectations.

During the sessions held at locations like Bodija Market, Gate, and other busy commercial centres, representatives of the FIRS also introduced digital platforms for tax registration, payment, and monitoring. They explained the use of the TaxPro Max platform and how it simplifies the filing process for individuals and businesses. According to officials, the digitisation of tax systems is meant to eliminate intermediaries, reduce corruption, and make compliance easier and faster.

In her address to traders, Moremi Ojudu reminded the public that tax revenue remains one of the most important sources of national income used to fund critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure. She added that when citizens fulfill their civic obligations, they are in a stronger position to hold government accountable for service delivery.

Also present at the event were representatives from Oyo State’s Internal Revenue Service, market leaders, youth groups, and community stakeholders, all of whom commended the federal government for the inclusive approach to taxation. Oyo State officials confirmed that the awareness campaign complements the state’s ongoing efforts to formalise informal businesses, which have grown rapidly in the last few years.

The President’s Community Engagement Office said similar programmes would be launched in other parts of the country in the coming weeks. The goal, according to officials, is to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income level, has access to reliable information about taxes and feels empowered to participate in nation-building through responsible citizenship.

Observers have welcomed the initiative as a step in the right direction, especially in a country where a large percentage of economic activity happens outside the formal tax net. Analysts argue that without inclusive and human-centred tax campaigns, many reform policies risk failing due to poor public understanding and resistance from informal operators who feel neglected or targeted unfairly.

The Ibadan campaign is expected to serve as a pilot, with adjustments made based on feedback and participation levels. Authorities have also pledged to follow up the campaign with mobile tax clinics, help desks in markets, and direct communication lines to assist taxpayers with complaints or inquiries.

With the launch in Ibadan, the Federal Government and FIRS have signaled a shift from coercive to collaborative tax enforcement, laying the groundwork for a more transparent, citizen-friendly, and equitable taxation system in Nigeria.