Nigeria Must Strengthen Domestic Revenue to Sustain Development – Minister I
 |
| Doris Uzoka-Anite |
The Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite, has emphasized the urgent need for Nigeria to boost its domestic revenue generation capacity to support long-term national development, especially as the global economy shifts away from commodity reliance.
Speaking through Mrs. Ndidi Chineyolum, a director at the ministry, Uzoka-Anite made the remarks on Tuesday in Abuja at the TaxADR Roundtable, themed “Unlocking Revenue and Strengthening Dispute Resolution: A Roadmap to Tax ADR in Nigeria.”
She noted that expanding Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base is no longer optional but a strategic imperative—albeit one that comes with challenges, particularly in ensuring broad-based tax compliance.
“With the global shift from commodity dependence, Nigeria must enhance its domestic revenue mobilisation to sustain national development,” she said.
The minister also highlighted the increasing complexity of tax disputes in recent years, which has rendered traditional litigation both costly and inefficient. She warned that prolonged disputes slow revenue collection and erode public confidence.
“Such conflicts go beyond revenue modernisation. They damage investor confidence, diminish public trust, and destabilise the foundations of a predictable and stable fiscal environment,” she added.
Uzoka-Anite affirmed the government's commitment to building a tax system that is both efficient and responsive to taxpayers’ concerns.
She stressed that adopting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the tax system could ease confrontations, promote trust, and encourage a culture of dialogue and accountability.
Also speaking at the event, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, represented by the Special Adviser to the President on Arbitration, Mr. Oloyede Hussein, underscored the need for Nigeria to broaden its tax base through approaches grounded in fairness and transparency.
“We must avoid coercive or confrontational tactics. Instead, we should nurture a tax culture built on fairness, dialogue, and accountability,” Fagbemi said.
The Coordinating Secretary of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, Anita Erinne, also highlighted how unresolved tax disputes impact government revenue and citizens’ livelihoods, calling for urgent reforms and stronger collaboration.
Erinne praised the Federal Inland Revenue Service for its efforts in modernising tax administration and commended its Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, for supporting the integration of ADR into the tax system.
Founder and Convener of the TaxADR Roundtable, Lateef Yusuff, said the event was both timely and strategic, especially following major reforms such as the enactment of the Arbitration and Mediation Act and the adoption of Nigeria’s National ADR Policy.
Yusuff noted that the roundtable aimed to build a new consensus around embedding ADR into the country’s tax dispute resolution framework.
.jpeg)
Leave Comments
Post a Comment