The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service has trained its tax officials on newly introduced tax reforms to strengthen their capacity and improve revenue administration across the state.
The two-day capacity building programme, held at Oba’s Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, focused on equipping officers with the knowledge and practical insights required to effectively implement updated tax policies.
The Executive Chairman of OGIRS, Olugbenga Olaleye, said the training, themed ‘Navigating the New Tax Reforms,’ aimed to position officials for efficient service delivery and alignment with ongoing fiscal reforms.
Olaleye said, “Let us get things right and be open to learning, training, and enlightenment; through this, we will sharpen ourselves. This programme is meant for us to unlearn and re-learn.”
He stated that the initiative reflected the agency’s commitment to professionalism, improved service delivery, and continuous learning, adding that tax administrators must remain adaptable in the face of policy changes.
One of the resource persons and Executive Chairman of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Zaid Abubakar, said the new tax reforms sought to establish a uniform tax system and harmonise tax administration across all tiers of government.
Abubakar said, “The central aim of the new tax law is to reduce the burden on Nigerians, make life easier for citizens and ease the process of tax payment for taxpayers.”
He added that proper information and sensitisation would help citizens understand the intentions behind the reforms, noting that the new tax law would prioritise accountability to generate more revenue for the government.
The Chief Executive Officer of D&A Associates, Stella Olaleye, urged tax officials to adopt the right leadership mindset in implementing the reforms. Olaleye said, “Leadership is determined by mindset rather than position.”
She advised leaders to pursue collective success by uplifting their subordinates, stressing that they must lead by example, value others, understand their teams, and demonstrate empathy. She also outlined the five levels of leadership as positional, permission, production, people development, and pinnacle.
A facilitator from D&A Associates, Oluwabunmi Olukoga, delivered a lecture on emotional intelligence in the workplace, explaining that it involves understanding and managing one’s emotions while empathising with others.
Olukoga said individuals must develop the ability to listen, reflect and respond positively to constructive criticism, adding that effective listeners must not ignore any part of a conversation. She identified punctuality, appropriate dressing, courteous language and active listening as basic workplace etiquette.
In their separate remarks, the Coordinating Director, Taiwo Ogundimu, and the Director, Field Operations, Oluwaseun Olajube, commended the Chairman and organisers for the initiative.
They said the training would enable tax officials to properly disseminate knowledge of the new tax reforms to taxpayers and urged participants to apply the lessons effectively in the discharge of their duties.