AC4D, Gombe Revenue Service Mobilise Stakeholders on New Tax Law, Push for Voluntary Tax Compliance

AC4D, Gombe Revenue Service Mobilise Stakeholders on New Tax Law, Push for Voluntary Tax Compliance

By Auwal Ahmad

The Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), in collaboration with the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), has organised a citizens’ sensitisation meeting to educate stakeholders on the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026 and promote voluntary tax compliance across the state.

The workshop, themed “Citizens’ Commitment Towards Tax Compliance,” brought together representatives of government institutions, the business community, professional associations, civil society organisations, the media, traditional institutions and taxpayers to discuss the benefits of the new tax law and its role in driving sustainable development.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service (GIRS), Aisha Adamu, urged residents and businesses to embrace voluntary tax compliance, describing taxation as the bedrock of sustainable development and improved public service delivery.

She said the sensitisation programme was designed to deepen public understanding of taxation while encouraging citizens to fulfil their tax obligations willingly.

Aisha Adamu welcomed participants from various sectors, saying their presence reflected a shared commitment to building a tax-compliant society capable of supporting government efforts to improve the lives of the people.

According to her, taxes remain the lifeblood of government, providing the financial resources needed to deliver essential infrastructure and services, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, security, water supply and other critical public amenities.

“Tax compliance is not merely a legal obligation; it is a civic responsibility and a demonstration of patriotism. When citizens pay their taxes voluntarily, government is better positioned to deliver development and improve the welfare of the people,” she said.

The GIRS chairman noted that the agency had continued to implement taxpayer-friendly reforms aimed at simplifying tax administration, improving service delivery and expanding public enlightenment in line with ongoing national tax reforms.

She explained that the workshop was also intended to strengthen dialogue between government and taxpayers by providing a platform for exchanging ideas on practical ways to improve compliance and enhance revenue generation for the state’s development.

Aisha Adamu encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, ask questions and take advantage of the expertise of the resource persons, expressing confidence that the engagement would deepen public appreciation of taxation and inspire greater commitment to voluntary compliance.

She thanked stakeholders for honouring the invitation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, fair and efficient tax administration system.

Declaring the workshop open, Aisha Adamu called for sustained collaboration among government, businesses and citizens to build a stronger tax culture capable of accelerating Gombe State’s socio-economic development.

Earlier, the Team Lead of the Advocacy Centre for Development (AC4D), Ambassador Ibrahim Yusuf, said the sensitisation programme was organised to bridge the information gap between government and citizens by ensuring that people clearly understood the provisions of the New Tax Law 2026.

He said public awareness was essential to the success of any tax reform, stressing that informed citizens were more likely to comply voluntarily with tax obligations and support government efforts to improve accountability and transparency.

According to him, taxation remains a critical source of revenue for financing development projects and essential public services, making it imperative for citizens to understand how the tax system works and the benefits it offers society.

Ambassador Yusuf urged participants to take the knowledge acquired during the workshop back to their communities, noting that continuous public engagement would help dispel misconceptions about taxation, strengthen trust between government and citizens, and improve compliance.

He also commended the Gombe State Internal Revenue Service for partnering with civil society organisations to expand tax education, describing the collaboration as a significant step towards building an inclusive, transparent and sustainable tax system in the state.

Participants engaged resource persons in interactive discussions on key provisions of the New Tax Law 2026, taxpayers’ rights and responsibilities, available tax reliefs and compliance procedures, while GIRS officials responded to questions and clarified concerns raised during the session.

The organisers expressed optimism that sustained public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement would enhance voluntary tax compliance, boost internally generated revenue and support the continued socio-economic development of Gombe State.