The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has set an ambitious target to collect N20 trillion in tax revenue for 2025, while highlighting the stark reality that only 10 to 19 per cent of Nigerians currently pay taxes.
The announcement came Tuesday during a vibrant Children’s Day event at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, where the FIRS, in collaboration with Arojah Concepts and Sprezzatura Publishing Ltd, launched a new book titled Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children.
The initiative aims to foster early tax education and cultivate a generation of financially responsible citizens.
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Speaking at the event, FIRS Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji, represented by his Special Adviser on Research and Statistics, Aisha Hamman, underscored the critical link between tax education and compliance. “Our research reveals a troubling statistic: only about 10 to 19 per cent of Nigerians pay taxes, a figure far below the average in many African countries,” Adedeji stated.
He emphasised that this low compliance rate underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to tax awareness, particularly among the youth. “By educating children early, we can build a future where tax compliance is a norm, not an exception,” he added.
The book launch, strategically timed to coincide with Children’s Day, reflects the FIRS’s commitment to embedding tax education in the fabric of Nigerian society.
Adedeji highlighted that early exposure to the principles of taxation could transform the mindset of young Nigerians, making them more likely to fulfill their civic duties as adults. “It’s far easier to mold young minds into responsible, tax-paying citizens than to reform adults who evade taxes,” he said, outlining the agency’s long-term vision to boost compliance through education.
The FIRS’s N20 trillion target for 2025 is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Nigeria’s revenue base through tax reforms and the harmonization of tax bills. Adedeji expressed confidence in surpassing this goal, noting that the agency is actively working to close revenue leakages and ensure more Nigerians are brought into the tax net.
“We are addressing loopholes and implementing reforms to make taxation more efficient and equitable. With these efforts, we are poised to not only meet but exceed our N20 trillion target in the coming years,” he said.
The newly launched book, co-authored by Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, simplifies the complexities of taxation for young readers while emphasizing its role in governance and national development.
“This book is a tool to teach children the value of civic responsibility and how taxes contribute to building a better Nigeria,” Atoyebi said during the event. She revealed that over 60,000 copies, published in partnership with Sprezzatura Publishing Ltd, will be distributed to schools, universities, and libraries nationwide, ensuring broad access to this educational resource.
The event drew a diverse audience, including schoolchildren, educators, and heads of organizations, all of whom engaged enthusiastically with the initiative.
Mohammed Abubakar, Managing Director of Sprezzatura Publishing Ltd, was also present, reinforcing the collaborative effort behind the project. While the FIRS’s mandate is limited to collecting and remitting revenue, Adedeji noted that the agency is committed to promoting transparency in public spending, further strengthening public trust in the tax system.
With Nigeria facing the challenge of low tax compliance, the FIRS’s dual approach of aggressive revenue targets and proactive education initiatives signals a forward-thinking strategy. By targeting young Nigerians and reforming tax administration, the agency is laying the groundwork for a more robust and inclusive economy.
The launch of Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children marks a pivotal step toward a future where tax compliance is not just a duty but a shared commitment to Nigeria’s growth and prosperity.
