Nigeria is targeting a 35% increase in its tax base this year from the current 14 million to 17 million payers as the country seeks fund to finance its 2017 budget.

To achieve its target the government plans to employ about 7, 500 graduates between 18 and 35 years. Known as the Community Tax Liaison Officers (CTLOs), their job will be to raise awareness and educate citizens at all levels about the tax system and encourage voluntary payment, Kemi Adeosun (photo), Minister of Finance, revealed. According to Adeosun, the Tax Liaison Officers will be employed under the Federal Government’s N-Power Programme which aims to reduce unemployment, create jobs and engage the youths.

“We set ourselves a target of 35% increase in the number of tax payers. That will take us to about 17million from the current level. We think it is achievable,” she said.

She added that with a tax to GDP ratio of only 6%, one of the lowest in the world, and 14million tax payers out of the 69.6 million economically active people, there is still much work to be done.

Anita Fatunji