The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has announced plans to translate the Federal Government’s proposed tax reform bills into 36 Nigerian local languages to promote wider understanding and engagement among citizens. This initiative, unveiled during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, aims to bridge the communication gap between policymakers and grassroots communities.
The Director-General of NOA, Dr. Garba Abari, stated that the agency is committed to ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of literacy level or language barrier, comprehends the content and implications of the reform bills. According to him, tax reforms are essential to addressing Nigeria’s fiscal challenges, but public buy-in is critical to their success.
“Taxation affects every Nigerian directly or indirectly. To achieve effective implementation of these reforms, we must carry the citizens along by simplifying the language and ensuring accessibility. Translating the bills into local languages is a step towards inclusivity and accountability,” Dr. Abari said.
The reform bills, part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader economic agenda, are designed to improve revenue generation, streamline tax collection processes, and reduce Nigeria’s dependency on oil revenues. However, critics have raised concerns about the lack of public awareness regarding the reforms, arguing that insufficient communication could lead to resistance or non-compliance.
Dr. Abari emphasized that the translations would not only make the reforms accessible but also empower citizens to ask questions and demand transparency in their implementation. “Our aim is to ensure that Nigerians at the grassroots are not only aware of these reforms but also understand their role in contributing to the nation’s development through taxation,” he added.
The NOA initiative will cover all six geopolitical zones, ensuring that diverse linguistic groups, including Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Efik, Kanuri, and others, are adequately represented. To achieve this, the agency has partnered with linguists, communication experts, and local leaders to produce accurate translations that reflect cultural nuances and simplify technical jargon.
Civil society organizations and tax experts have praised NOA’s efforts, describing the initiative as a bold step toward fostering transparency and inclusivity in governance. “Taxation can only be effective when people understand why they are paying taxes and how their contributions will be used. Translating the reform bills into local languages will help demystify the process and build trust,” said Dr. Aisha Ahmed, an economist and public finance expert.
The agency also plans to launch a nationwide sensitization campaign to accompany the translations, utilizing town hall meetings, radio broadcasts, and community outreach programs. The goal is to create a two-way communication channel where citizens can voice their concerns and receive clarification on tax-related issues.
Some Nigerians have expressed optimism about the initiative, noting that it could reduce misconceptions about taxation and foster a culture of compliance. Others, however, have urged NOA to extend the approach to other critical policies affecting the masses, such as healthcare reforms and education policies.
However, this move comes after the tax reform bills have already generated significant controversy. Critics argue that the proposed changes, particularly in the allocation of Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, could exacerbate regional economic disparities. The bill suggests that states generating more VAT would retain a larger share, potentially disadvantaging less economically active regions. This aspect has sparked debates about the bill's implications for Nigeria's federal structure and economic equality among states.
With this initiative, NOA hopes to set a precedent for how government policies are communicated to the public, making inclusivity and transparency central to governance. As Nigeria continues its quest for economic stability, such efforts may serve as a model for citizen engagement in policy implementation.
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