Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, hass aid studies have shown that only 19 percent of Nigerians pay tax.
Adedeji spoke at the launch of a book, titled ‘Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children by the FIRS’.
The FIRS chairman was represented by Aisha Mahmoud, his special adviser on research and statistics.
He stated that the book, written by Aderonke Atoyebi and Ejura Haruna, was fully supported by the FIRS to help educate the younger generation on the importance of tax payment.
“First of all, I want to say that we have run a couple of studies and we have found out that tax compliance is positively correlated with tax education,” he said.
“When children are educated, they grow up to become responsible people, pay their taxes and do what is right. We have carried out studies and we have found out that only 19 percent of Nigerians pay taxes.
“Other studies have shown that only 10 percent of people pay taxes. Because we rely so much on research and investigations, some have shown that only 10–15 percent of citizens pay taxes.
“We think that this is decimally low compared to other countries, even in Africa. We have come up with the initiative to ensure that we partner with other government institutions, individuals, like this one, to propagate, encourage, educate, and create awareness for our younger ones.
“Why? Because it is easier to make younger children to become tax compliant when they grow up than reform tax-dodging adults.
“That is why we support anywhere that there are initiatives to publish books like we have done today.”
