The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has pledged to champion public awareness and support for the federal government’s new tax reforms, which take effect in January 2026 under the recently enacted Tax Act.
NOA Director General, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made the commitment during a courtesy visit by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, led by its chairman, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
According to a statement by NOA’s Director of Communications and Media, Bala Musa, Issa-Onilu warned that technology has made it easier for misinformation and distorted narratives about the tax laws to spread. He stressed the need to educate Nigerians on the benefits of the reforms to counter both genuine misunderstandings and deliberate attempts to undermine the government’s efforts.
He explained that the new Tax Act addresses persistent issues such as double taxation affecting businesses, workers, investors, and individuals. Issa-Onilu also highlighted NOA’s extensive national presence, trained community-based personnel, and large network of media partners—comprising over 200 radio stations and 36 television stations broadcasting in 72 local languages—positioning the agency as a powerful platform for nationwide sensitisation.
The DG revealed that NOA is leveraging modern technology, including artificial intelligence, to communicate government policies, citing the launch of its AI-powered voice and chat assistant, CLHEEAN, which provides verified information to citizens.
“These are the tools we will deploy to support the committee in informing and educating Nigerians about the new tax laws,” he said.
Earlier, Oyedele said the committee visited NOA to seek collaboration in dispelling widespread misinformation, especially among grassroots communities such as farmers. He noted that many Nigerians remain unaware of the benefits of the reforms, leaving them vulnerable to misleading content aimed at turning public opinion against the law.
He emphasised the need to break down the reforms through relatable scenarios involving farmers, students, business owners, and executives to demonstrate how the tax changes will improve their lives.
At the end of the meeting, both agencies agreed to form a joint committee to drive coordinated public communication on the reforms.
The visit also featured the presentation of the newly enacted tax laws to Issa-Onilu and the NOA’s National Value Charter plaque to Oyedele. The Tax Reforms Bill, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June, seeks to simplify and strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal framework.
