CITN advocates inclusion of tax education in secondary school curriculum

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called for the inclusion of tax education as a course into all secondary schools’ curriculum across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), decrying the high level of literacy on tax payment in the country. Samuel Olusola-Agbeluyi, president of CITN, made […]

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has called for the inclusion of tax education as a course into all secondary schools’ curriculum across the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), decrying the high level of literacy on tax payment in the country.

Samuel Olusola-Agbeluyi, president of CITN, made the appeal while speaking at the 5th edition of all secondary schools tax debate at the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, the headquarters of Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The former vice chancellor of the institution, Professor Muhammadu Akaro-Mainoma, who declared the debate on tax open on behalf of the president, Olusola-Agbeluyi, pointed out that the weak tax administrative structures and limited use of technology were major factors hindering the enhancement of revenue generation across the nation.

He said, “The low level of awareness is responsible for the negative perception of individuals on tax collection across the country. The roads, the schools, the hospitals are built from these taxes that are being collected.”

He, however, frowned at the inconsistency of government policy, corruption and mismanagement of tax funds as major factors responsible for people’s unwillingness to pay their tax as at when due, saying the introduction of tax education into the secondary school curriculum would tackle the negative perception of citizens on tax payment.

He said there was a need to create awareness for people to know the importance of paying their taxes, noting that this would go a long way in increasing the level of compliance and the volume of revenue generation.

“There would be less tax evasion or fraud,” he added.

He said consistent payment of tax reduced over-dependence on oil revenue, adding that the introduction of tax education across secondary school curriculum would help to prevent legal issues.

Speaking via zoom, the sponsor of the 5th edition of all secondary schools’ debate, Professor Ezekiel Williams, while congratulating the winner, appreciated losers for their courage to take part in the debate.

He encouraged them to put in more efforts to emerge winner in the next debate competition in Gombe State in 2026.

He applauded CITN for the noble idea and concept to ensure that the youths were being captured at their prime age.

Announcing the results of the first, second, and third rounds, the chief judge of the debate exercise, Dr Zainab Abdul Adamu, said Government Secondary School (GSS), Kofar Husa, emerged as the winner of the first round with 82 points, Government College, Keffi, scored a total of 77.5 points, Government Secondary School, Army Barracks, had a total of 73 points.

Other schools that participated were Government Secondary School (GSS), Keffi South, which scored 68 points and Government Secondary School (GSS), Angwan Jeremy, which had 65 points.

At the end of the whole exercise, a cheque of N200,000 was presented to the overall winner Maimunatu Bala. The second position, also from GSS Kofar Husa, Isah Muhammad Junaid, was presented with a cheque of N150,000 and Ayila Louis was presented with a cheque of N100,000.

Earlier, the representative of Governor Abdullahi Sule and the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr John Mamman, as well as the Chief Evaluation Officer in charge of quiz and debate, Gani Salihu, commended the organiser.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to exploring all avenues to ensure education moves to the highest position in the state.

For the first time in 29 years, when the first president of  Nigeria and founder of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe died,