The Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS) has concluded a two-day stakeholders’ engagement aimed at deepening understanding of the 2025 Nigeria Tax Reform Act and strengthening tax compliance across the state. The event, held at the Usiju World Event Centre, Jos, attracted representatives from ministries, departments, agencies, civil society organizations, business communities, and the informal sector.
In his welcome remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the State, Arc. Samuel Nanchang Jatau, represented by the Executive Chairman of PSIRS, Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, emphasized that the Tax Reform Act affects every Nigerian and will come into full effect on January 1, 2025. He described the new legislation as a non-punitive fiscal framework designed to unify tax administration across all tiers of government, increase efficiency, and grant revenue services greater autonomy. He encouraged stakeholders to seek clarification to eliminate misconceptions before the implementation kicks off.
Providing an overview of the Tax Reform Act, Dr. Wayas disclosed that the Act harmonizes several existing tax laws into a single structure. He outlined major updates to personal income tax, value-added tax (VAT), capital gains tax, and minimum tax regulations. According to him, small businesses now enjoy a higher zero-rate threshold, while capital gains tax will apply on a graduated basis ranging from 10% to 25%. He added that financial institutions will now be mandated to report collective income directly to revenue authorities to simplify compliance and block revenue leakages.
Speaking on the legal implications of the new framework, the Commissioner of Justice, Hon. Philemon Daffi (Esq.), urged individuals and corporate entities to comply with the updated tax guidelines. He assured that the state government would deploy collected taxes judiciously for public good. He also appealed to informal sector operators to support the new reforms while stressing that enforcement measures will be firm where necessary.
Also delivering insights, Mr. Jonathan Mangai, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at PSIRS, called for a transparent and accountable tax ecosystem built on integrity, digitization, and strong citizen trust. He emphasized the need for a clear link between taxes paid and public service delivery.
A panel session moderated by Mr. Wulashik Dafaan and MC Tsok featured experts including Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, Mrs. Rahila Olu-Silas (Esq.), Assoc. Prof. Dagwom Dang, Mr. Monday Bereh, and Dr. Lukman Jimoh Rahim. Discussions centered on the implementation of the New Nigeria Tax Law, compliance challenges, expanding tax coverage, and ensuring equitable contribution from both financial and non-financial sectors.
Addressing the informal sector, Dr. Lukman Jimoh Rahim explained that all income — including cryptocurrency earnings — falls under taxable income. He highlighted the progressive tax bands, noting that the first ₦800,000 earned by registered businesses is tax-exempt, while higher profits attract proportionate taxation. He encouraged participants to become ambassadors of the new tax knowledge and highlighted the availability of a pocket-friendly tax guide and an online support portal to aid compliance.
The Commissioner for Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality, Hon. Cornelius Doeyok, called for sustained sensitization and citizens’ engagement to promote public acceptance of the reforms. He revealed plans to harness opportunities in tourism, hospitality, and e-commerce to boost revenue generation for the state.
Delivering closing remarks, Mrs. Deborah Adamu Kesuwo, Chairperson of the stakeholders’ engagement team, appreciated participants for their robust contributions and commended the resource persons for their technical insights. She praised Dr. Wayas and his team for driving transparency and efficiency in Plateau State’s tax administration.
In her vote of thanks, Mrs. Emily Ufulul Daboer acknowledged the commitment of all stakeholders — taxpayers, professional partners, and the media — to supporting PSIRS in its mission to strengthen revenue processes and enhance understanding of Nigeria’s evolving tax system
