Only 19% of Nigerians Pay Tax – FIRS Boss

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has launched a children’s book on taxation, revealing that only 19% of Nigerians currently pay taxes. The initiative aims to instil tax consciousness in the next generation through early education.

Speaking at the official launch of “Taxation: Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children”, FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji, represented by his special adviser on research and statistics, Aisha Mahmoud, said studies indicate dismal tax compliance nationwide.

“We’ve run several studies and discovered that tax compliance is positively linked with tax education. Sadly, only 19% of Nigerians pay taxes,” Mahmoud stated on behalf of the FIRS chief. “Some reports show even lower figures, between 10–15%. This is alarmingly low, even by African standards.”

The new book, authored by Aderonke Atoyebi and Ejura Haruna, was fully supported by FIRS as part of a broader campaign to educate young Nigerians about the value of taxes and their role in national development.

Adedeji emphasised the long-term vision: by introducing children to the concept of taxation early, Nigeria can shape a generation that is not only tax-compliant but also demands greater accountability from public institutions.

“It’s easier to teach children to become tax-compliant adults than to reform tax-dodging citizens,” he said. “That’s why we’re supporting initiatives like this.”

The FIRS boss stressed that tax education should be integrated into both primary and secondary school curricula, arguing that knowledge of taxation should not be limited to accounting students alone.

“A lot of adults evade taxes simply because they don’t understand them,” he added. “Educating children now means they’ll grow up with the mindset of responsible citizenship.”

Co-author Aderonke Atoyebi, who also serves as technical assistant on broadcast media to the FIRS chairman, announced that 60,000 free copies of the book will be distributed across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, in partnership with Sprezzatura Publishing.

“This book is designed to bridge the knowledge gap between citizens and tax authorities,” Atoyebi explained. “We’re ‘catching them young’ by teaching children that the infrastructure and social amenities they enjoy are funded by tax revenues.”

She added that the book tackles themes of civic responsibility and governance using simple language and comic illustrations to make the subject engaging for young readers.

“We want children to understand that taxes are not a burden but a civic duty—one that directly impacts the quality of life they enjoy,” she said. “Taxes fund everything from roads and hospitals to education and water supply. They don’t go into private pockets.”

Atoyebi also highlighted the importance of educating children about how tax revenues support initiatives like the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), which boosts funding for public tertiary institutions.