‘Nigeria must embrace smart tax system to curb leakage’

The President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Barrister Samuel Agbeluyi, has emphasised the need for Nigeria’s tax system to evolve in line with the global digital economy. He made the call on Tuesday at the maiden ICT Summit on Taxation in Abuja, themed ‘Building Smart Tax Infrastructures for Economic Growth’, organised […]

The President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Barrister Samuel Agbeluyi, has emphasised the need for Nigeria’s tax system to evolve in line with the global digital economy.

He made the call on Tuesday at the maiden ICT Summit on Taxation in Abuja, themed ‘Building Smart Tax Infrastructures for Economic Growth’, organised by CITN in collaboration with the CISCO UNITE Academy.

Agbeluyi also called for a transition to smart, technology-driven frameworks to enhance revenue generation, curb leakages, and promote voluntary tax compliance.

He noted that technological advancements and shifting economic paradigms were redefining tax administration, making digital transformation imperative.

“When we speak of ‘Smart Tax Infrastructures,’ we refer to an integrated system where automation, data analytics, and digital platforms simplify tax collection, improve compliance, and enhance transparency while strengthening governance,” he said.

The CITN president noted the importance of aligning tax administration with the ongoing reforms spearheaded by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

He said, “Our role as practitioners is to interpret these reforms and align our practices to support their strategic objectives. The CITN remains committed to ensuring that our members stay at the forefront of these changes.”

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Senator Robert Ajayi Boroffice, former Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), underscored the transformative potential of digital tools in taxation.

He noted the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Blockchain, and Big Data Analytics in enhancing tax collection efficiency and combating fraud.

“E-filing systems, real-time transaction monitoring, and AI-driven audits can help governments close revenue leaks while simplifying compliance for businesses and individuals,” he said.

Boroffice also urged the simplification of tax codes and harmonisation of tax rates to attract foreign direct investment and foster business confidence.

The Chairperson of the ICT Committee of the FCTI, Dr. Catherine Ndubuisi, said that Nigeria must keep pace with global trends in tax digitalisation.

She warned that the increasing complexity of financial transactions, the rise of e-commerce, and the expansion of digital assets demanded an urgent shift from traditional tax structures.

“ICT is a game-changer -empowering us to automate processes, strengthen enforcement, combat tax evasion, and broaden the tax base in ways never seen before. We live in an era when digitalization is not merely an enhancement but a fundamental necessity across the globe.

“Governments and organizations are integrating technology-driven solutions to improve tax collection, enhance compliance, and build transparent systems. Nigeria cannot afford to lag in this transformation. As our economy continues to evolve, so must our approach to taxation.