Nigeria’s tax administration is undergoing major reforms aimed at increasing domestic revenue while making tax processes more inclusive, fair, and efficient.
Speaking at the TaxADR Roundtable in Abuja, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, emphasized that the country’s evolving tax framework is designed to support economic reforms and shift away from over-reliance on oil revenues.
Represented by Mrs. Ndidi Chineyolum, Uzoka-Anite said the government is building a responsive tax system that fosters trust and reduces disputes. “Resolving tax disputes collaboratively reflects the core principles needed for a modern tax system including mutual trust, fairness in enforcement, and efficiency in resolving issues,” she said.
The minister stressed the importance of moving away from adversarial enforcement tactics toward consensus-based approaches. “We must reduce adversarial interactions and create a system where disputes are resolved through timely dialogue, not prolonged confrontation,” she noted, highlighting the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in strengthening tax compliance.
Addressing the rise of complex tax disputes driven by new business models and regulatory shifts, Uzoka-Anite warned that traditional litigation methods are inefficient and damaging to both government revenue and investor confidence. She argued for a faster, less confrontational model that ensures fiscal predictability.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Special Adviser Oloyede Hussein, echoed these sentiments. He maintained that expanding the tax base must not involve coercive methods and praised ADR as a way to build trust. “ADR has long been recognised globally for preserving relationships, reducing costs and resolving issues efficiently,” he said.
Convener of the TaxADR Roundtable, Mr. Lateef Yusuff, said the event was timely given recent legal reforms, such as the Arbitration and Mediation Act and the National ADR Policy. These developments, he said, create a foundation for embedding dispute resolution mechanisms into Nigeria’s tax structure.
Anita Erinne, Coordinating Secretary of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, reaffirmed the tribunal’s role in promoting access to justice in tax matters. She praised the FIRS for supporting ADR reforms and cited the importance of digital tools in improving efficiency. “A modern tax system combines effective enforcement with collaborative governance and public accountability,” she concluded.
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