Cordilia Eke supports taxpayer education efforts at FIRS Lagos during COVID-19 period

Nigeria’s commercial hub, recorded a 16.5 per cent increase in non-oil tax collections between 2019 and 2021 despite the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials and analysts attribute the improvement to a combination of policy reforms and increased taxpayer education initiatives undertaken by the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Inside the taxpayer support unit at the Ikoyi office, a steady stream of visitors arrived seeking clarification on registration procedures and tax filing obligations. Cordilia Eke, a Tax Enlightenment Officer, spends most of the day assisting individuals and businesses with compliance inquiries and taxpayer registration.

Eke joined the Lagos office during the implementation of the Finance Act 2019, a legislative reform that introduced significant changes to Nigeria’s tax system, including adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT), exemptions for certain low-income earners, and new incentives to encourage the use of digital filing systems.

Working within the taxpayer education unit, Eke’s responsibilities involved assisting taxpayers with Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) activation and registration, as well as conducting one-on-one consultations and group awareness sessions across Lagos. Colleagues say such outreach efforts were particularly important as many individuals and small business owners sought clarification about the newly introduced tax regulations.

“Officers in the taxpayer enlightenment units played a key role in helping the public understand the reforms,” said a senior colleague familiar with the Ikoyi office’s outreach programmes. “Cordilia was among those who helped translate complex tax provisions into clear guidance for traders, small business owners, and first-time corporate filers.”

The importance of these efforts became even more evident in early 2020 when pandemic-related restrictions disrupted normal government operations. As physical offices closed during the nationwide lockdown, tax officials began assisting taxpayers through remote consultations and digital services.

Colleagues say Eke supported taxpayers during this transition by helping individuals navigate online compliance tools, including the agency’s TaxPro-Max digital filing platform, which enables taxpayers to manage registration and filing processes electronically.

In addition to taxpayer consultations, Eke also assisted with administrative reconciliation of corporate returns and compliance documentation in the Lagos office. Such activities form part of the broader monitoring framework used by the FIRS to maintain its national taxpayer database and strengthen regulatory compliance.

Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio has historically remained among the lowest globally, prompting ongoing efforts by policymakers to expand voluntary tax compliance and improve public understanding of tax obligations. Officials say taxpayer education initiatives carried out by frontline officers remain an important part of these broader reforms.

Within this system, officers like Eke contribute to the day-to-day work of helping individuals and businesses navigate regulatory requirements and ensure that new tax policies are communicated and implemented effectively at the operational level.