Fesochukwu Jason
The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria has stated that Nigeria’s recent tax reform laws have significantly increased the relevance of certified tax practitioners within the country’s fiscal system.
Speaking at the virtual opening of the March 2026 edition of the Legal Practitioners’ Conversion Training Programme, the institute’s President, Innocent Ohagwa, explained that the new legal framework has clearly defined who is authorised to represent taxpayers.
Represented by council member Funsho Abidakun, Ohagwa noted that under the provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, only accredited tax agents recognised by relevant authorities are permitted to act on behalf of taxpayers.
He pointed out that the updated laws, enacted in June 2025, have strengthened ethical standards and elevated professional requirements in tax practice. According to him, the provisions specify that taxpayers may either represent themselves or appoint a certified tax agent duly recognised by a professional body.
Ohagwa added that this development reinforces CITN’s statutory responsibility to regulate tax practice in Nigeria, while highlighting the importance of proper certification for practitioners.
He said the conversion programme was designed to provide lawyers with a structured pathway to gain the technical expertise required for admission into the institute, noting that taxation has evolved into a complex and multidisciplinary field.
According to him, effective tax practice now requires knowledge that goes beyond legal principles, incorporating elements of finance, economics, and business analysis.
Participants in the programme, numbering over 100 legal practitioners, are expected to gain insights into the newly introduced tax laws as well as other specialised areas of taxation. He encouraged them to take full advantage of the training to strengthen their professional competence.
Ohagwa also urged legal practitioners to expand their skill sets in response to Nigeria’s changing fiscal environment, stressing that taxation plays a critical role in national development.
Earlier, Chairman of the CITN Tax Academy Committee, Titilayo Enitan-Fowokan, noted that ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s tax system have increased the demand for professionals with expertise spanning both law and taxation.
She explained that the training programme was designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate the evolving tax landscape, while enhancing their professional capacity.
Enitan-Fowokan emphasised that legal practitioners have a vital role in promoting compliance, accountability, and good governance under the new tax regime. She added that the programme would be facilitated by experienced experts to ensure both theoretical depth and practical relevance.
Nigeria’s recent tax overhaul followed the signing of four major reform laws by Bola Tinubu on June 26, 2025. The legislations include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service Act, and the Joint Revenue Board Act, all aimed at modernising the country’s tax system.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.