FIRS Seeks Media Partnership to Promote Voluntary Tax Compliance

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has intensified its efforts to enhance voluntary tax compliance in Nigeria by engaging media professionals, simplifying tax communication, and forging inter-agency partnerships. The goal is to move away from heavy enforcement models towards trust, clarity, and inclusion.

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🔍 Key Actions & Initiatives

1. Media Sensitisation and Collaboration

   • FIRS held a Media Sensitisation Programme in Abuja called “The Role of Media in Voluntary Tax Compliance”. The programme gathered tax officials, journalists, scholars, and civil society actors to deliberate on how media reporting can shape public understanding of tax reforms and policy. Technical Assistants from FIRS emphasized working with broadcast media professionals, as they serve as bridges between policy-makers and the public, especially by explaining tax policies in accessible language. Simplifying Tax Language & Enhancing Communication

2. • FIRS is pushing to simplify tax terminology used in public communications to avoid confusion and build trust. Messages are being adapted for clarity, using everyday terms rather than technical jargon to make tax obligations, rights, and responsibilities easier to understand. 

   • Heads of communications from radio stations and media organizations were trained through workshops and strategic communication sessions to support this simplified messaging approach. 

3. Technology & Joint Enforcement Partnerships

   • FIRS is promoting voluntary compliance through technology tools such as digital platforms to streamline tax processes, reducing friction for taxpayers. 

   • It has also reinforced its alliance with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to tackle tax evasion while maintaining voluntary compliance as a central ethos. 

4. Outreach & Public Education

   • The Tax Clinic programme is one such FIRS outreach initiative aimed at businesses (especially small and informal sector operators), startups, and non-traditional taxpayers. Through this, the agency educates people on tax filing, business registration, dispute resolution, and how tax revenues are used in public services. 

   • Engagements have included public forums, stakeholder sessions (especially in Abuja and the North-Central region) to help media and taxpayers better understand policies, reforms, and use of data for accountability.

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⚠ Challenges & Why This Strategy Matters

• Trust Deficit: Many Nigerians distrust the tax system, often because they do not see visible benefits from tax revenue, or find the system opaque. The media can help reduce the trust gap by highlighting where taxes are used and pushing for accountability. 

• Complex Tax Policies & Low Awareness: In informal sectors especially, many people don’t fully understand their obligations. Complex law language, lack of accessible information, and low awareness contribute to under-compliance. Simplified communication is essential. 

• Enforcement vs Voluntary Compliance Balance: While enforcement remains necessary for deterring evasion, FIRS wants to emphasise voluntary compliance as a more sustainable model. Coercive methods often generate resistance and do not always build lasting compliance culture. 

✅ What this Means Going Forward

• Media’s Role Deepens: Journalists, broadcasters, content creators, and media houses will continue to be important partners. Their capacity to interpret, fact-check, translate policy, and reach ordinary citizens will determine how successful the voluntary compliance drive is.

• More Transparent Reporting & Accountability: As FIRS collaborates with media, there is expectation of more reporting on how tax money is used—roads, schools, hospitals, etc.—so people can see value for money. 

• Greater Adoption of Technology: Tools like e-invoicing, digital filing, online services, predictive analytics for risk, etc. will lower barriers to compliance—especially for large and medium taxpayers. 

• Inclusive Approach: Informal sector, small businesses, startups, and “emerging taxpayers” are focal in these strategies, with efforts made to bring them into the tax net in fair, accessible ways.