FIRS boss advocates taxation as compulsory subject in schools

By Stephen Gbadamosi - 31.03.2008

Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui, has called on the Federal Government to make taxation a compulsory general studies course in higher institutions in the country.

Omoigui made the call at the University of Ibadan, at the weekend, after receiving an award as the best public servant in 2007 from Kuti Hall of the university.

The FIRS chairman, who said Nigerians had not imbibed the culture of paying taxes, noted that taxation needed to be taught as a compulsory course in the higher institutions for its practice to register in Nigerians’ subconscious.

“Nigerians don’t pay taxes. Taxation should be introduced as a general study course in the higher institutions, because people talk about tax, but they don’t really know what it entails and the responsibilities it carries. The more we know about tax, the better for all of us and the economy,” she said.

Announcing a donation of a cybercafé to Kuti Hall by the FIRS, Omoigui lamented the state of education in the country, adding that it was high time alumni went back to their alma maters and collaborate with other stakeholders to lift the school system.

“The state of education today requires collaboration by all. Alumni have a role to play from primary to secondary schools and the higher institutions,” she advised.