Stakeholders, yesterday in Abuja, stressed an urgent need to integrate advanced technology into tax administration, citing Artificial Intelligence (AI), blockchain, and robotics as key drivers of efficiency and transparency.
The experts, including members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who highlighted the need for the speedy passage of the tax reform bills at the National Assembly, said emerging technologies must be embraced to improve taxation in Nigeria.
The stakeholders, who gathered at the Maiden ICT Summit on Taxation, with the theme: ‘Building Smart Tax Infrastructure for Economic Growth’, said it was smarter to train ahead on the impact of new technologies rather than losing out due to lack of skills.
Delivering the keynote address, pioneer Director-General of the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) Prof. Robert Ajayi Boroffice, emphasised the critical role of digital transformation in economic governance.
He stressed how countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, China, and India have successfully deployed AI in tax administration to improve compliance, detect fraud, and streamline processes.
According to him, technology must not just be seen as an enabler, but also a fundamental driver of economic development. Boroffice said AI and blockchain are transforming tax administration, by reducing inefficiencies, enhancing compliance, and ensuring transparency.
“A well-designed smart tax system will support revenue generation while fostering an environment conducive to business growth,” he said. Experts at the summit stressed that Nigeria’s tax system must evolve to keep pace with global best practices, noting that a smart tax framework would integrate real-time transaction monitoring, automated filing systems, and predictive analytics to enhance decision-making.
Blockchain technology, in particular, was identified as a game-changer in reducing tax fraud, by providing tamper-proof records, ensuring data integrity, and improving cross-border tax compliance.
The 16th President and Chairman of CITN, Samuel Agbeluyi, underlined that the ongoing tax reform efforts must incorporate digital advancements to achieve meaningful impact. He noted that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio remains below global and regional averages, making tax system improvements even more crucial.
While expressing support for tax reforms, Agbeluyi acknowledged that adjustments would be necessary over time. The experts suggested that integrating AI-driven tax assessments and automation tools would help tax authorities improve compliance while simplifying the process for individuals and businesses.
