Expert seeks gender-sensitive tax policies for female entrepreneurs

A tax expert and Associate Professor of Forensic Accounting at ICT University (Cameroon), Dr. Kennedy Iwundu, has called for policies that ensure taxation does not disproportionately impoverish female entrepreneurs. Iwundu advocacy came while speaking on the topic ‘Taxation of informal sector and Gender impact Assessment ( focus on Gender impact Nigeria Tax reform Act 2026″ […]

A tax expert and Associate Professor of Forensic Accounting at ICT University (Cameroon), Dr. Kennedy Iwundu, has called for policies that ensure taxation does not disproportionately impoverish female entrepreneurs.

Iwundu advocacy came while speaking on the topic ‘Taxation of informal sector and Gender impact Assessment ( focus on Gender impact Nigeria Tax reform Act 2026″ at the 4th Distinguished Personality Lecture and Annual Seminar of the Society of Women in Taxation ( SWIT) in Abuja on Monday.

He said: “Because a massive percentage of women in Nigeria operate in the informal economy as petty traders there is need for gender impact assessments.I am advocating for policies that ensure taxation does not disproportionately impoverish female entrepreneurs.”

Iwundu also stated that to successfully bring Nigeria’s vast informal sector into the tax net, a flat 1% presumptive tax on informal business turnover has been introduced.

He however pointed out that while this aims to broaden the tax base, it must be implemented carefully to avoid the pitfalls of the past.

He said: “A flat 1% presumptive tax is applied to informal business turnovers to capture traders, artisans, and small-scale operators. This will help protect vulnerable, low-income earners, businesses with an annual turnover of ₦12 million or less are completely exempt.”

Speaking on the topic ” Nigeria in the Global landscape,Harmonising Domestic Reform with International Norms” the Acting Director,Competent Authority Dept ,Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Kehinde Kajesomo said Nigeria must align with International Norms to be able to make impact in the tax space.

The 17th President and Chairman Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) Governing Council, Mr Innocent Ohagwa in his remarks said the tax reform is currently on the front burner hence he encouraged all Nigerians to be tax compliant to enable government serve the country well and provide basic infrastructure.

The host of the event and 6th National Chairperson of SWIT and member CITN Governing Council, Dr Caroline Ndubuisi said the theme of the Seminar “Structure to success, Nigeria’s Journey from Tax Reform to Economic Growth” was chosen to help give clarity to many misconceptions at the initial stage of the reform and enlighten the public about the how the reforms will help bring about economic growth.

Ndubuisi further said the seminar was also organised to help build the capacity of its members and honour and appreciate those that have achieved a lot in the tax profession such as the 14th Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, President and SWIT Life patron Dame Gladys Olajumoke Simplice and the 8th President of CITN Dr Kamoru Adigun.