Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has expressed concern over the low level of tax compliance in Nigeria, stating that only 19 percent of Nigerians pay taxes, according to research findings.
Adedeji made these remarks through his special adviser on research and statistics, Aisha Mahmoud, during the unveiling of a book titled ‘Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children’, an initiative supported by the FIRS.
The book, authored by Aderonke Atoyebi and Ejura Haruna, was developed to foster early awareness among children about the role and significance of taxes in national development.
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“First of all, I want to say that we have run a couple of studies and we have found out that tax compliance is positively correlated with tax education,” he said.
“When children are educated, they grow up to become responsible people, pay their taxes and do what is right. We have carried out studies and we have found out that only 19 percent of Nigerians pay taxes.
“Other studies have shown that only 10 percent of people pay taxes. Because we rely so much on research and investigations, some have shown that only 10–15 percent of citizens pay taxes.
“We think that this is decimally low compared to other countries, even in Africa. We have come up with the initiative to ensure that we partner with other government institutions, individuals, like this one, to propagate, encourage, educate, and create awareness for our younger ones.
“Why? Because it is easier to make younger children to become tax compliant when they grow up than reform tax-dodging adults.“That is why we support anywhere that there are initiatives to publish books like we have done today.”
Adedeji emphasized that instilling tax awareness from an early age would foster a culture of accountability and transparency in governance. He noted that citizens who understand their civic duties are more likely to hold leaders accountable and demand proper use of public resources.
“When they are taught and they are subjects on taxation from the primary level, especially, and the secondary school level, when they reach the university, they have already known about that civil duty,” the FIRS boss said.
“It is not only the students of accounting that should know about taxation, a lot of people are not aware of tax issues, and that is why they dodge and that is why they evade paying taxes.”
He advocated for tax education to be integrated into school curricula, suggesting that it is an effective way to shape responsible future citizens who appreciate the value of paying taxes.
Speaking at the launch, co-author Aderonke Atoyebi, who also serves as a technical assistant on broadcast media to the FIRS chairman, revealed that 60,000 copies of the book will be distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, with production costs fully covered by the FIRS in collaboration with Sprezzatura Publishing.
She explained that the book seeks to close the knowledge gap between citizens and tax authorities by introducing children to the concept and benefits of taxation in a relatable and understandable way.
“They always say that nobody wants to pay tax. This is why we’re catching them young, to let them know that some of the social amenities they have access to, some of the infrastructural facilities we have in the nation today are being funded via revenue generated,” Atoyebi said.
“We are teaching them about taking civic responsibility. The book addresses civic responsibility, governance, how to be a serious adult. The importance of that position. What are we using taxes for? Taxes do not go to personal accounts. It goes to government accounts. In return, the government uses it to fund infrastructure, social amenities, to give us a good life.”
She also highlighted that part of the taxes collected is allocated to the education sector, particularly through agencies like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
According to Atoyebi, the book employs comic-style illustrations and simplified language to ensure children can easily grasp complex taxation concepts. This approach, she said, is intended to make learning about taxes enjoyable and accessible, laying the foundation for informed and responsible citizenship.
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