Don’t focus on tax collection alone, work on tax utilization too, economist tells Nigerian govt at NBA Ungogo Fireside Chat
The Nigerian government has been told to also exert energy in how the country will benefit maximally from its new tax regime scheduled to commence January 1, 2026.
A Kano-based economist, Dr Abdussalam Muhd Kani at Saadatu Rimi College of Education, tasked the government not to focus on tax collection only, but to extend its surveillance and perfection to the judicious utilization of the revenues to be generated form the consolidated tax laws.
Kani said “Just like the government will enforce tax payment, it should pay attention to how the monies realized would be used.”
He gave this advice on Saturday at the Fireside Chat organized by the Ungogo branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Kano to discuss the law.
READ ALSO: Tinubu doesn’t control EFCC, Presidency replies opposition leaders
Chairman of the branch, Ahmad Abubakar Gwadabe, said the event was necessary in order to sensitize members on the need to deepen their understanding of the 2025 consolidated tax laws, especially as they relate to compliance and enforcement.
Gwadabe pointed out that apart from sensitization, the event also served as an avenue to equip lawyers with adequate knowledge of the new tax regime and prepare them for its enforcement, adding that members of the branch were guided towards understand their responsibilities under the law so that they could, in turn, guide clients appropriately.
The chairman added that the event also served as a means to demystify misconceptions surrounding the tax laws, urging Nigerians to seek guidance from their lawyers and other professionals like accountants and economists.
Professor Nuhu Musa Idris, who delivered the keynote address at the event, spoke extensively on lawyers’ roles in tax administration under the new legal framework, saying only a thorough understanding of its provisions would help legal practitioners serve this role accordingly.
“Lawyers need to understand the level of responsibility imposed by law on them and the key role they are supposed to play in achieving the objectives of the legislation.”
According to the professor of law from the Faculty of Law, Bayero University Kano, targeting compliance is paramount and more important when giving honest and informed advice to clients under the new tax regime.
Professor Kabiru Adamu, who chaired the event, said the new tax regime would significantly alter Nigeria’s tax landscape and directly impact legal practice and public policy.
He explained that the consolidated legislation was introduced to simplify taxation, improve administration and revenue collection, eliminate multiple taxation and harmonise conflicting tax provisions.
He added that the reforms, while aimed at efficiency, raise important legal and constitutional questions for lawyers, particularly in areas such as enforcement powers, adjudication by tax authorities, compliance procedures, dispute resolution and the protection of fundamental rights.
