By William Emmanuel Ukpoju
The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) recently held its 2024 Annual Public Lecture/AGM and Awards, focusing on the crucial role of public relations in fostering constructive dialogue for national economic renaissance, particularly in the context of the new tax reform bill before the National Assembly. The event, which took place in Kaduna on December 7, 2024, at the Stonehedge Hotel, brought together experts and stakeholders in public relations, taxation, and economics.
The topic of tax reform has been a subject of intense debate in Nigeria, with many arguing that the current taxation system is outdated and in need of reform. The Nigerian taxation system has been criticised for being complex, with multiple tax laws and regulations confusing taxpayers. This complexity has led to a lack of trust and compliance among taxpayers, resulting in significant revenue losses for the government.
In recent years, the Nigerian government has made efforts to reform the taxation system, to increase revenue and promote economic growth. One of the key initiatives in this regard is the proposed tax reform bill, which seeks to harmonize the country’s tax laws and regulations. The bill has been the subject of much controversy, with some arguing that it will lead to increased taxation and others arguing that it was designed to favour a section of the country and put others at disadvantage.
Against this backdrop, the NIPR’s 2024 Annual Public Lecture/AGM and Awards provided a platform for experts and stakeholders to discuss the role of public relations in fostering constructive dialogue for national economic renaissance, particularly in the context of tax reform.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Malam Haroun Malami, Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the institute. Malami emphasised the need for fostering constructive dialogue that breeds trust in institutions and the role of public relations in promoting national growth and development.
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the NIPR, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the importance of public relations in facilitating purposeful communication, building mutual understanding, and promoting ideas. He stressed that public relations practitioners can help create a culture of collaboration and progress in the country.
The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, commended the NIPR for providing a platform for engaging Nigerians on the tax reform bill. He emphasised the importance of taxation in providing social services and amenities to citizens, noting that the Nigerian taxation system is long overdue for reform.
An Assistant Director of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mr. Kayode Adesola, presented an in-depth analysis of the new tax bill, highlighting its benefits and how it will affect Nigerians. He explained that the bill seeks to harmonise over 30 tax laws into four bills.
The presentation was followed by respondents from religious and traditional leaders, including academics in the field of taxation. First of the respondents was Sheik Ahmed Gumi, who opined that government should have embarked on massive advocacy to educate and enlighten Nigerians on the bill before it was introduced to the National Assembly. This, he said would have allayed the fears of many Nigerians.
Reverend John Joseph Hayat, former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), urged the people in leadership positions to be accountable and trustworthy and for Nigerians to begin to see themselves first as Nigerians, devoid of religious or ethnic division for the progress of the nation. Reverend Hayat urged the NIPR to extend the advocacy to the grassroots in the six geopolitical zones of the country to get more people sensitized on the subject matter.
Professor Bagudu Muhammad of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, the lead discussant, expressed concerns that the government may privatise public universities in the long run, which would negatively impact the common man. However, he assured that the fears of Northerners are unfounded, as the new tax bill does not pose a problem for the region in terms of production and consumption. Instead, he encouraged the North to increase production and integrate more small businesses into the tax system for a more sustainable economy. He also stressed the need for digitalization in the north.
The panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Ahmed Auwal Haruna, featured five panelists who shared their insights on the tax reform bill. Senator Shehu Sani regrated how the reform that is intended for the general well-being of Nigerians, was unfortunately politicized and people who ought to lend their voices are afraid to speak out because of fear of intimidation. He gave full support for the reform and enjoined well-meaning Nigerians to do same. Prof. Okey Ikechukwu noted that the bills are focused on development, investment and human capital development. He said any leader who is passionate about development will be compelled to make their environment attractive to investment, following this tax reform bill.
Professor Hauwa Evelyn Yusuf emphasized the need for public relations through dialogue to foster trust and accountability between citizens and the government. Professor Cosmos Eze discussed controversies surrounding the VAT clause and fears of north-eastern states affected by insurgency and natural disasters. Dr. Ahmed Sajo highlighted the lack of knowledge as a challenge facing the tax reform bill and emphasized the need for criticism based on facts rather than malice.