Former Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Professor Ali Ahmad, has advocated the need for transparency in tax administration to encourage voluntary compliance among Nigerians.
Speaking at a media seminar in Ilorin on the themed “The Role of Media in Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Tax Reforms Legislation,” Professor Ahmad highlighted the critical role of transparency in fostering trust between the government and taxpayers.
He noted that the proposed tax reforms by the federal government could only gain public acceptance if the administration of taxes was open and accountable.
“Once there is transparency in the tax regime, people will comply and pay tax voluntarily, and the nation will be on its path to development,” he said.
Professor Ahmad underscored the importance of engaging the public through the media, adding that the existing tax regime suffers from a trust deficit.
He urged government to involve citizens in the reform process by reflecting their views in the contents of the proposed bills.
Professor Ahmad also called on the media to play an active role in educating the public on the importance of tax reforms, simplifying complex legislative changes to ensure that citizens understand their rights and responsibilities.
