Nwabueze Charges Financial Journalists to Promote Tax Literacy
The Tax Ombud/Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr. John Nwabueze, has charged financial journalists across the country to promote tax literacy and foster a better understanding
Dr. John Nwabueze, the Tax Ombud/Chief Executive of the Office of the Tax Ombud, has urged financial journalists nationwide to boost tax literacy and improve understanding of Nigeria's tax reforms aimed at enhancing national progress. He made this appeal during the 36th Anniversary Conference of the Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos, where he discussed the theme, "Building Taxpayer Confidence and Trust in Nigeria's Tax Reform Agenda."
FICAN plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between policy institutions and the public, with financial journalists translating government fiscal policies into comprehensible information for businesses, households, investors, and policymakers. Dr. Nwabueze highlighted five crucial ways financial journalists can contribute, which include clarifying the law and its real-world impact, scrutinizing implementation instead of merely reporting announcements, differentiating lawful tax planning from tax evasion, evaluating administrative fairness, and fostering financial and tax literacy.
He emphasized the importance of reporting that not only reveals revenue collection figures but also explains the connection between revenue generation, public expenditure, service delivery, and economic development. Dr. Nwabueze cautioned against the media endorsing or opposing government policies outright and instead called for informing the public, posing tough questions, verifying claims, and holding institutions accountable. A reliable financial press, according to him, bolsters public discourse quality.
The Tax Ombud praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedication to reforming Nigeria's tax and revenue administration system for greater fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability. He also highlighted the establishment of the Office of the Tax Ombud, which strives to foster a deeper understanding of the tax reform agenda's objectives and results.
Dr. Nwabueze stressed the need to build taxpayer-friendly institutions and encourage responsible engagement with revenue authorities, with the ultimate goal of strengthening lawful administration and promoting constructive engagement.
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