The 17th President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Innocent Ohagwa, has warned non-compliant taxpayers to regularise their status before the 2026 Tax Reform Acts take effect.

He issued the warning at the CITN’s pre-induction orientation programme in Lagos.

This follows President Bola Tinubu’s assent to the new Tax Reform Acts, which are set to take off in 2026 after a dedicated period for planning and public awareness.

While speaking with pressmen at the pre-induction ceremony, Ohagwa said, “All the fears being expressed are uncalled for. The Reform Acts that have been passed are for the benefit of all, and the areas of concern are being addressed. There is no cause for alarm; the cause of concern is unwarranted, but I must tell you that if you are not used to obeying the tax as it is today, you need to worry. By next year, I will advise all who are not complying now to approach their relevant tax authorities to regularise their situations so that by next year, there will be a smooth ride, but if they still remain outside the tax net, be they individuals or companies, by next year, when technology brings out all the things that you have been burying into the limelight, it may be difficult for you to navigate.”

Speaking on the readiness of incoming tax professionals, he said, “They are joining the profession at a time when their technical know-how and skills are required. As such, they should be ready to give the tax profession the needed support. Also, I crave their indulgence to support the reforms in a holistic way so that at the end of the day, everyone would benefit and our nation would be good to go.”

Ohagwa clarified that the reforms aim to simplify the tax system and improve the ease of doing business.

He noted that, “The alternative name for the reform is ease of doing business. The taxes have been harmonised. The vulnerable and low-income are exempted from paying tax but not exempted from obtaining their tax ID. The tax ID ensures that when one commences taxable activities, they are properly captured.

“CITN will continue to advocate voluntary compliance. We will continue to advocate that citizens should perform their obligations as required to be able to reap the numerous incentives and waivers embedded in it. They need to voluntarily comply first.”

Also at the event, Deloitte Associate Director Joseph Alatishe emphasized the need for businesses to prepare for the evolving tax landscape.

“One of the major things is getting technical knowledge and experience, especially for changes that we have seen play out in other jurisdictions and how they apply. We tell companies that now is the time to do an impact assessment to ensure that you are ready for these changes, and also as tax professionals, you also must be ready to give the right advice to your clients because some of these changes are not things you have seen play out in practice before, and that is where you also see bodies like CITN help to ensure that their members continue learning and are also prepared for these changes,” he said.

He underscored the critical importance of the pre-induction process for new members, adding, “This is a step before the CITN inducts new professionals into the chartered institute. This means more professionals to develop our tax system and be there to support companies and individuals, but before they are inducted, they have passed exams, and they have been found qualified to join the institute. This ceremony is to ensure that they have both the ethical practices and the requisite technical knowledge to add value to clients.”