Tax Transparency Begins With Awareness: NBA, FCT-IRS To Collaborate On Lawyers’ Tax Education

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) have taken a significant step towards enhancing tax awareness among legal practitioners. NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, received a delegation from FCT-IRS at the NBA National Secretariat in Abuja, where both parties discussed potential collaboration.

Welcoming the delegation, the NBA President reiterated that the NBA, with over 130 branches across Nigeria, remains committed to promoting a culture of legal compliance, institutional accountability, and the rule of law. He emphasized that fostering a strong relationship between regulatory institutions and professional bodies like the NBA is vital to national development.

The Acting Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Mr. Michael Hango, who led the delegation, thanked the NBA President for the warm reception and commended the NBA for its advocacy role in governance and legal reform. He noted that the purpose of the visit was to explore areas of collaboration with the NBA in promoting awareness and understanding of tax compliance obligations, particularly as it concerns annual returns by law firms and individual legal practitioners.

Mr. Hango acknowledged that tax compliance can be challenging without the right guidance and information, and stressed the importance of sensitizing legal practitioners on available tools, self-assessment procedures, and simplified platforms for seamless filing and payment.

“We recognize the NBA as a key stakeholder in the justice sector and believe that a partnership with the Bar will go a long way in enhancing voluntary compliance through education and engagement,” Mr. Hango stated.

In response, the NBA President expressed the Association’s willingness to support initiatives that advance transparency and accountability. He encouraged the FCT-IRS to simplify its platforms and develop more accessible tools to support legal practitioners, especially those operating as sole practitioners or within small firms.

Mazi Afam Osigwe also proposed that the FCT-IRS participate in an upcoming edition of the NBA Secretariat’s “Fireside Chat” series, a platform designed to provide informal yet informative dialogue on key professional issues. He noted that such collaboration would further help to break down technical barriers and ensure a better understanding of tax obligations.

“The NBA is always open to partnerships that foster education, transparency, and national development,” the President affirmed. “Our goal is to create an environment where compliance is encouraged through awareness, not compulsion.”

The visit marks another step in the NBA’s ongoing efforts to engage institutions meaningfully and promote best practices across the legal profession.

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