….we’re building children to be responsible future taxpayers – Atoyebi

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – THE Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Tuesday, backed book to deepen knowledge of students in secondary schools across the country.

The Chairman, FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji stated this on the sidelines at a launch of a book tagged ‘Taxation Essential Knowledge for Nigeria Children’: A Simple Guide to Taxation for Secondary School Students’, to mark the 2025 Children’s Day, where he said young Nigerians in secondary need to be included in the sensitization on tax
payment in order for them understand the construction of hospitals, schools, roads, power supply, security services, fire service, and others are from payment of taxes.

Adedeji who was represented by the Special Adviser, Research and Statistics, Associate Prof Aisha Mahmud Hamman, described as the book as a significant breakthrough.

He said: “Today, we gather to celebrate the 2025 Children’s Day, as well as a significant breakthrough
that is the launch of this book, Taxation, Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children.

“This book is a transformative tool designed to instill the principles of taxation, fiscal responsibility, and civic duty in the minds of our children. So as we are all aware, taxation is the lifeblood of every country, of every nation, of every economy.

“It forms, as we have seen, ties with our number here, education, healthcare, roads, securities,
infrastructure, research, and education.

“These are all services that shape the quality of life of every citizen. Yet for long, tax education has been confined to boardrooms, confined to policy circles, without many of our young ones understanding what tax is all about, and that is why when they grow up and find themselves in corporate boardrooms, they don’t know the importance of paying tax because most of them don’t appreciate the benefits.

“We know that sustainable tax compliance is not achieved through compulsion, but through a
culture of voluntary tax participation, rooted in understanding and trust.

“This book, Taxation, Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children, bridges that gap for us by simplifying complex tax
matters into relatable lessons for children, nurturing a culture of tax compliance early, ensuring
that the Nigerian of tomorrow is built by citizens who understand, appreciate, and willingly pay
or contribute their taxes to national development.

“To our children, you are the nation builders of today and architects of the future of Nigeria. The knowledge you get from this book will empower you to make informed decisions when you grow.”

Meanwhile, he said FIRS envisioned a future with the textbook and others that in order to ensure “every Nigerian child grows up knowing that paying taxes is not just a legal obligation, but a patriotic duty and a tangible contribution to the
growth and prosperity of our country.”

He (Adedeji) said the agency has prioritized awareness, it has prioritized education and research, and voluntary compliance as pillars of effective tax system.

“Initiatives like the Tax Club in schools, the Youth Tax Workshops, books such as Why Do People Pay Tax for Junior Secondary Schools, and now this beautiful book demonstrates our commitment to fostering a culture of tax compliance from an early age.

“We believe that when children learn about taxation, they grow to be informed citizens who understand how taxes work and empowers them to demand accountability from the government.

“They grow to become responsible taxpayers who appreciate that taxes are not a burden, but a
collective investment for our country.”

Authors of the book are Arabinrin Aderonke, and Ejura Blessing Haruna, edited by Dr Mohammed Sani Abubakar, and foreword by Dr Zacch Adedeji.

Meanwhile, one of the authors and Technical Assistant Broadcast Media to the Chairman, FIRS, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, explained that the book is basically for children to be responsible future taxpayers.

“There is a communication gap between taxation and the kids, and ‘nobody wants to pay tax’, like they say. They always say that nobody wants to pay tax. This is why we are catching them young, to let them know that some of the social amenities they have access to, some of the structural facilities we have in the nation today, are being funded via revenue generated, and we are teaching them about also taking civic responsibility”, she said.