President Bola Tinubu has placed accountability at the centre of Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, warning that public trust in government cannot be sustained without a transparent and efficient revenue system.
The president made this position clear on Wednesday in Abuja during the inauguration of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service headquarters, where he said taxation must be fair, open, and just if citizens are to have confidence in government institutions.
Tinubu noted that past tax structures, many of which date back to the colonial era, created confusion and inefficiencies that weakened revenue generation and eroded trust. He said the current reforms are designed to simplify the system and ensure that government revenue processes are clearer and more responsive to the needs of Nigerians.
According to the president, the new framework, which became fully operational earlier this year, aims to eliminate overlapping laws, improve compliance, and create a system where citizens can see value in what they contribute. He stressed that accountability must go hand-in-hand with revenue collection.
The Minister of Finance and other officials at the event also highlighted structural changes within the system, including improved remittance processes and the use of data-driven policies to enhance transparency. Authorities say these measures are intended to strengthen oversight and reduce leakages in public finance.
Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, said the reforms have already led to significant increases in government revenue, alongside efforts to modernise operations and align institutions within a unified framework. He added that the agency is expected to meet higher standards of performance and service delivery.
The event also drew remarks from Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who urged Nigerians to be patient with ongoing reforms, even as political tensions persist. Observers say the success of the new tax regime will ultimately depend on consistent implementation and the government’s ability to demonstrate transparency, fairness, and measurable benefits to citizens.
