BRASS launches independent tax volunteers programme to boost tax education, compliance nationwide
Kola Oyelere Kano
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The Budget Advocacy & Reforms Association (BRASS) has launched a nationwide civic initiative aimed at deepening tax education, improving voluntary compliance, and supporting Nigeria’s domestic revenue mobilisation through the newly established Independent Tax Volunteers (ITV) Programme.
However,the organization blamed Nigeria’s low tax compliance on decades of weak public sensitization by government agencies. Citing findings from a two-year baseline survey, BRASS said ignorance remains the primary reason many Nigerians evade or default on tax obligations.
Speaking during a press conference at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano, the Project Lead, Prof. Abdullahi Ya’u, said the programme was developed in response to persistent challenges surrounding low tax awareness and the limited reach of tax authorities across the country.
Prof. Ya’u explained that while many citizens are willing to obey tax laws, a large number lack access to accurate information and guidance. “One of the biggest obstacles to Nigeria’s revenue performance is not unwillingness to pay taxes, but widespread lack of understanding of tax obligations,” he said
The ITV Programme plans to deploy thousands of trained volunteers across the country to support individuals, micro-businesses, and informal sector operators. The volunteers will:
Deliver free tax education in communities, markets, and schools.
Assist citizens with TIN registration and basic filing procedures.
Guide taxpayers through digital platforms such as TaxPro Max and state e-tax systems.
Conduct sensitisation campaigns to rebuild trust between citizens and the government.
Provide record-keeping assistance and advisory services to MSMEs.
Operate physical and digital tax-help desks, including WhatsApp and mobile app channels.
A major innovation is the creation of a structured taxpayer feedback mechanism, enabling volunteers to document the challenges encountered by citizens and share them with the FIRS, State Internal Revenue Services, and local authorities for data-driven reforms.
According to Prof. Ya’u, the initiative aligns with ongoing efforts by federal and state governments to improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through fair and transparent approaches rather than coercion. He added that the volunteer model mirrors global best practices from countries including the United States, Canada, Ghana, and Australia.
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The BRASS promised to embarked on the following;
Recruit and certify 7,500 volunteers nationwide.
Reach 500,000 citizens annually with tax education.
Establish volunteer hubs across local governments.
Build digital advisory channels accessible across Nigeria.
Partner with schools, civil society groups, cooperatives, and market associations.
Provide real-time taxpayer insights to tax authorities to enhance service delivery.
Professor Ya’ u added that ‘”Reluctance to pay taxes is a global issue, but in Nigeria, the problem is worsened by lack of trust and inadequate communication from authorities,” a representative stated.
He noted that many taxpayers incur avoidable penalties because they do not understand procedures or available exemptions.
The BRASS said the volunteer programme will help close this gap by providing accessible, community-based tax education. Funding, it said, is being supported by development partners and local philanthropists, with volunteers allowed to work within their neighbourhoods without abandoning their livelihoods.
Young participants will receive certification as community tax advisors — enabling them to offer bookkeeping and related services to small businesses for additional income.
“We are empowering young people while also helping Nigeria meet its civic responsibilities,” the official added.
Prof. Ya’u urged the FIRS, State IRS agencies, local governments, tertiary institutions, market associations, civil society groups, development partners, and the media to support the initiative.
“The success of this national effort depends on strong partnerships,” he said, appealing to journalists to intensify public awareness on voluntary tax compliance.
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He reaffirmed BRASS’s commitment to supporting sustainable revenue reforms, describing the ITV Programme as a step toward building a tax system that citizens understand and trust.
“We invite the media to work closely with us to shape a Nigeria where people willingly contribute to national development through informed tax compliance,” he concluded.