By Our Reporter
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has pledged to spearhead nationwide public enlightenment campaigns to ensure smooth implementation of the Federal Government’s new tax reforms set to commence in January 2026, when the recently enacted Tax Act becomes operational.
Director General of the Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the commitment on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving members of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, led by Chairman Taiwo Oyedele, during a courtesy visit.
According to the statement signed by Bala Musa, Director, Communications and Media of the Agency, Issa-Onilu warned that the ease with which misinformation spreads through digital platforms has empowered individuals to circulate false narratives about the new tax regime. He stressed the need for extensive sensitisation to counter such misinformation and to help Nigerians understand the benefits embedded in the reforms.
According to him, the new Tax Act addresses longstanding concerns such as double taxation affecting companies, business owners, workers and investors. He emphasised that Nigerians stand to benefit significantly once the provisions of the law are fully understood.
The NOA DG highlighted the Agency’s nationwide reach, noting that its offices and trained personnel across all states routinely engage in grassroots mobilisation and public education on government policies. He added that the Agency’s demographic mapping capability enables it to tailor communication strategies to specific groups, including women, youth, trade associations, civil society groups and community leaders.
“In every community, our staff are part of the people. They enjoy trust, and that is an advantage we will deploy,” he said.
Issa-Onilu also underscored NOA’s strong partnership with over 200 radio stations and 36 television stations broadcasting in 72 local languages, noting that this network will be instrumental in ensuring widespread dissemination of factual information. He revealed that the Agency is leveraging modern technology, including the use of Artificial Intelligence, through its recently launched ChatGPT-style platform, CLHEEAN, designed to provide Nigerians with verified information on government policies.
“These are the tools we will deploy to assist and support the committee in sensitising Nigerians on the new tax laws,” he assured.
Earlier, Oyedele stated that the committee visited the NOA to seek collaboration in pushing accurate information to the public and countering widespread misconceptions about the reforms. He expressed concern over misinformation being targeted particularly at grassroots communities, including farmers, with the aim of turning them against the government.
He noted that while the committee has been engaging multinationals, it is equally important for everyday Nigerians—farmers, students, business owners and workers—to understand how the reforms benefit them. “When people are properly informed, they will support the reforms rather than protest against them,” he said.
Both parties agreed to set up a joint committee to ensure effective communication and implementation of the tax reforms nationwide.
The visit culminated in an exchange of symbolic presentations: the Tax Reforms Committee handed over copies of the new Tax Act to the NOA DG, while the NOA leadership presented the National Value Charter plaque to Oyedele.
Precise Post recalls that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Tax Reforms Bill into law in June as part of efforts to simplify and strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
