By Abubakar Yunusa
The National Orientation Agency has pledged to drive nationwide support for the Federal Government’s new tax laws ahead of their implementation in January 2026.
The Director-General of the Agency, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the commitment when the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms visited the NOA headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.
Issa-Onilu warned that technology had made it easy for mischief-makers to spread false narratives about the legislation.
The Agency’s Director of Communication and Media, Bala Musa, confirmed the commitment in a statement on Saturday.
He said the Agency would intensify sensitisation to counter misinformation and help Nigerians understand the benefits of the reforms.
According to him, the new Act addresses issues such as double taxation faced by companies, workers, investors and business owners.
The DG said the NOA had the capacity to reach citizens across all demographics through its nationwide offices and extensive community-based campaigns.
“We have mapped out engagement models for different groups — traders, CSOs, associations, youths and women,” he said. “Our staff are selected from the communities, so the people trust them.”
He added that the Agency enjoyed strong partnerships with over 200 radio stations and 36 television stations broadcasting in about 72 local languages.
Issa-Onilu also revealed that the NOA was using modern tools, including Artificial Intelligence, to push verified government information.
“We launched our own version of ChatGPT, called CLHEEAN, for Nigerians to access authentic information,” he said.
He told the visitors that the Agency was ready to assist the tax reform committee in its enlightenment work.
Earlier, the committee chairman, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said the visit aimed to secure the NOA’s support in combating widespread misinformation about the tax laws.
Oyedele noted that false claims had particularly misled grassroots communities, including farmers.
“We want Nigerians at all levels to know the benefits they stand to gain,” he said.
He suggested using relatable scenarios featuring farmers, students and business leaders to show how the reforms would improve daily life.
Oyedele expressed confidence that when citizens understood the benefits, they would support the law rather than oppose it.
Both bodies agreed to set up a joint committee to coordinate a nationwide enlightenment campaign.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the new tax laws to the NOA DG and the National Value Charter plaque to Oyedele.
The Tax Reforms Act was signed by President Bola Tinubu in June as part of efforts to streamline and strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal system.
