Taxpayers’ Interests Must Remain Central to Ongoing Reforms, Says RMAFC
The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Shehu, has emphasized the need for ongoing tax and revenue reforms to safeguard taxpayers' interests while ensuring a fair distribution of revenue among all tiers of government. Shehu made the remarks while receiving a delegation from the Joint Revenue Board (JRB), led by its Executive Secretary, Olusegun Adesokan, during a courtesy visit to the commission's headquarters in Abuja. According to a statement issued by the commission's Head of Information and Public Relations, Maryam Yusuf, the RMAFC chairman reiterated the commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, fairness, and effective collaboration among institutions responsible for revenue administration. He stressed that stronger cooperation between agencies involved in revenue generation and fiscal management would be critical to the success of current reform initiatives. "The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission remains committed to promoting transparency, fairness, and accountability in Nigeria’s revenue administration framework. As major stakeholders in the nation’s fiscal system, we must work collectively to ensure that ongoing reforms protect taxpayers while guaranteeing equitable revenue allocation across all levels of government," Shehu said. The RMAFC chairman noted that the commission would continue supporting efforts aimed at strengthening government revenue while ensuring compliance with existing laws and constitutional provisions governing revenue sharing. He explained that policy alignment, stakeholder consultations, and institutional partnerships would play a vital role in achieving the objectives of the reforms. Addressing concerns surrounding aspects of the proposed tax regime, including tax refunds, electronic transfer taxation, and revenue allocation mechanisms, Shehu said continuous dialogue and technical engagement were necessary to build confidence and improve the effectiveness of the system. He maintained that reforms should not only increase government revenue but also enhance public trust and improve the overall taxpayer experience. "The commission remains committed to supporting initiatives that encourage compliance, improve transparency, and strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s tax administration system," he added. Shehu expressed optimism that sustained collaboration among federal and state governments, revenue-generating agencies, and other stakeholders would lead to significant improvements in revenue collection and fiscal efficiency over the coming years. Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, said the visit was aimed at deepening cooperation between the board and the commission in support of ongoing tax reform efforts. He noted that effective coordination among relevant institutions would be essential to the successful implementation of the new tax framework. According to Adesokan, the reforms are designed to promote transparency, fairness, and efficiency while creating clearer mechanisms for revenue sharing between the Federal Government and subnational entities. He stated that the proposed framework would benefit taxpayers, government institutions, and the broader economy by improving fiscal stability and accountability. Adesokan acknowledged concerns raised by stakeholders regarding issues such as electronic money transfer levies, stamp duties, tax refunds, advance tax payments, and revenue allocation formulas. He assured that the Joint Revenue Board would continue engaging with stakeholders and relevant authorities to address these concerns and ensure that the reforms achieve their intended objectives.
The JRB boss also pledged the board’s commitment to ensuring that revenues are properly attributed to the appropriate states while guaranteeing fairness in taxpayer treatment under the evolving tax framework. He commended the RMAFC for its efforts in promoting stakeholder engagement and expressed confidence that increased collaboration, information sharing, and taxpayer education would strengthen compliance and enhance revenue generation nationwide. Both organisations concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation, protecting taxpayers, improving revenue administration, and supporting reforms aimed at building a more efficient and sustainable fiscal system. Meanwhile, Nigeria’s first Tax Ombud and Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, recently encouraged individuals and businesses facing unfair tax assessments, multiple taxation, or disputes with revenue authorities to seek assistance through the newly established office. Speaking at a meeting with finance journalists and media executives in Abuja, Nwabueze explained that the office was created to provide taxpayers with an independent platform for resolving complaints and addressing grievances arising from interactions with tax agencies.
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