Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has raised serious concerns over the country’s weak tax enforcement system, revealing that oil and gas companies owe Nigeria a staggering $6 billion in unpaid taxes.

Falana, who spoke yesterday during a paper presentation titled “Tax Law and Administration: Challenges of Compliance” at the ongoing 27th Annual Tax Conference of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) in Abuja, criticised the federal government for allowing such massive revenue losses while continuing to borrow to fund national budgets.

He described the situation as evidence of poor financial accountability and called for greater transparency and representation in the country’s tax system.

The prominent human rights lawyer criticised the Nigerian tax system describing it as lacking the foundational principle of “taxation with representation.”

During a panel discussion on tax policy and public accountability, Falana said Nigeria’s approach to taxation is riddled with inefficiencies, opacity and mismanagement that undermine public trust and discourage compliance.

Drawing historical parallels, Falana referenced the American and French revolutions, which were sparked in part by taxation without representation.

“In Nigeria, we cannot perform taxation without representation. If you want me to pay taxes, then why? Where is the representation, the justification, or the return to the people?”, he asked.

Falana lamented the proliferation of taxes in Nigeria, pointing out that some fiscal policies list as many as 60 different taxes, far beyond the original 25 outlined.

“No government needs 60 taxes,” he argued, describing the current framework as excessive and burdensome.

He also spotlighted glaring issues in revenue transparency and accountability, using Lagos State as an example, Falana claimed that taxes collected from buses and motorcycles alone amount to over N1.3 billion annually, yet there’s little clarity on how these funds are utilised.

Citing a September 2023 report, Falana revealed that oil and gas companies allegedly withheld $6 billion (about N64 billion) in taxes due to the government within a year.

“Shockingly, two months later, the federal government approached the National Assembly to borrow N2.1 billion to fund the national budget.

“How do you explain that? We’re losing billions to tax evasion, yet borrowing to survive,” he queried.

Falana also condemned the government’s silence over a COVID-19 era N3.4 billion loans allegedly used without due process.

“Nobody has challenged it,” he said, questioning how public funds are managed.

He stressed that taxes are meant to provide public services such as security, schools, hospitals but today, many Nigerians see no benefit from what they pay.

Also speaking on the panel, Rakiya Ahmed, Executive Chairman of the Zamfara State Internal Revenue Service, echoed similar concerns.

She noted that Nigeria’s historic reliance on oil revenue led to underdevelopment in tax systems.

“Because of our weak revenue from oil, we are now forced to focus on taxation,” she said.

Ahmed identified several structural challenges to tax compliance, noting key among them is the perception of corruption and a lack of transparency.

“When citizens do not see any return on their taxes, they’re less likely to comply,” she said, stressing the importance of a strong social contract between the government and taxpayers.

She also criticised the complexity of Nigeria’s tax laws, which she said discourages voluntary compliance.

“There are so many laws, and constant amendments confuse taxpayers,” she said.

Ahmed called for increased use of technology in tracking and enforcement.

She noted that Zamfara is one of the first states, after the FIRS, to deploy a data analytics system that revealed a supposed low-income taxpayer with hundreds of millions in their account.

This, she said, shows how data can help expand the tax net to include high-net-worth individuals who often escape scrutiny.

Ahmed highlighted taxpayer education as a major factor in boosting compliance, especially in rural areas.

“When taxpayers understand their obligations and see the benefits, they are more willing to comply,” she said.

She advocated for grassroots collaboration with traditional rulers, unions, and community leaders to enhance outreach and build trust.

The panelists agreed that while tax reforms are underway, the Nigerian government must address the trust deficit, simplify the tax code, use technology to track evaders, and, above all, demonstrate that tax revenues are used for the public good.

Without visible and accountable returns, they warned, compliance will remain elusive and public resentment will grow.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri has described as shocking the sudden demise of one of his predecessors, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd).Olubolade, who was military administrator of the state from June 27, 1997 to July 9, 1998, died on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

Diri, who spoke during 163rd state executive council session in Government House, Yenagoa, said the news of his death was received with profound sadness by the government and the people considering Olubolade’s indelible contributions to the development of Bayelsa during the state’s formative years. A minute silence was observed by the state cabinet in honour of the late former administrator.The Bayelsa governor described Olubolade as selfless, an astute administrator and a man of exceptional humility.He particularly expressed sadness that late last year, the state celebrated Olubolade’s 70th birthday in Yenagoa and that he was full of life at the event.Diri said out of office, the former military administrator identified with the state through the years and was one of the key supporters of his administration.He extended the condolences of the government and people of the state to the Olubolade family and prayed to God to grant them and his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC) is set to sign contractual agreements with air carriers and ground handlers in June for the 2025 Pilgrimage Exercise to Israel, Jordan, Rome, Greece and Turkey.This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Bishop Stephen Adegbite, during the financial bid opening for airlifting and ground handling services for the 2025 pilgrimage exercise on Tuesday in Abuja.

In a press statement signed by the Deputy Director and Head, Media and Public Relations Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission, Celestine Toruka, Bishop Adegbite emphasized that transparency and openness are the hallmarks of his administration. ”We urge service providers to up their game by ensuring they put in their best efforts in rendering services to the Commission.Our corporate slogan, ‘Service and Satisfaction,’ cannot be compromised. We assure you that your labor of love will not be in vain.”He expressed satisfaction with the bid process, which followed due process in line with procurement procedures. “We will not cheat any service provider, and neither will they cheat the Commission,” he affirmed.On air carrier and five ground handlers qualified through the first bid opening process conducted by the Commission on April 2, 2025. Observers commended the Commission for upholding transparency, justice, and fair play.”NCPC remains committed to providing excellent services to pilgrims and ensuring a successful pilgrimage exercise”. The statement read.Meanwhile, the National Director, Mobilization and Contact, Nigeria Liberty Movement, NLM Alhaji Suleiman Yunusa on Tuesday says there is need for every stakeholders in Allied Peoples Movement, APM and Nigeria Liberty Movement to collaborate in a way that would see to the fruitfulness of the NLM political ideology.The call for collaboration was contained in a statement by the capacity leader that has been in the forefront of grass root mobilization for NLM during an official merger and release of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC certificate by APM to NLM in Abuja, on Tuesday, May 13th, 2025.The national director, while commending the wisdom of the leadership and stakeholders of APM to merge with NLM said, “as the historic event of today has put the necessary power in the hands of NLM to fully partake and participate in any future political activities in Nigeria, we now need to put NLM ideology of creating a new breed of leadership to full motion and be in a continual collaborative synergy that will see to the empowerment of the downtrodden.”He called for continued support and commitments of its mobilization team members, stakeholders and well-wishers across the country to go all out for grass root mobilization as this is a national call to action.Speaking further said, “I thank the Founder and the incumbent Chairman of the Allied Peoples Party, APM, Alhaji Muhammadu Musa Bagana, for his leadership and wisdom in merging with the Nigeria Liberty Movement, NLM.“I also thank the National Chairman, Ambassador Meshach Thompson, the National Director, Coalition, HRH, Ogah Attah Alhaji Tijani Musa and the National Director of Operation, Otunba Kingsly Adejumo for your sagacity and doggedness in seeing that the merger is a success”.“I also thanked each and everyone here that leaves whatever you are doing and be here today to witness this epoch-making event as it unfolds”.On his part, Alhaji Muhammadu Musa Bagana, Founder and the incumbent Chairman of the Allied Peoples Party, APM said it is time to focus and dump any selfish interest now that the merger has put the necessary political power in the hands of NLM.Bagana who was represented by APM National Organising Secretary/Personal Assistant to the Chairman, APM, Pastor Frank Oluwa said, “We are now full members of NLM and we ceased to operate as APM and I am saying this with full authority in the power vested on me.”“I have the full authority to speak here today on behalf of the National Chairman and I am ably representing him here today. And if you are in doubt, you can call him and confirm what somebody is saying now.”He further admonished the leadership of Nigeria Liberty Movement to make judicious use of the merger as the certificate is released to NLM on a platter of Gold.