By Asiya Sani Sulaiman, Abuja
Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), in partnership with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), has called on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to embrace tax literacy as a strategic tool for sustainable business growth and competitiveness.
A statement in Abuja by the agency’s Team Lead for Corporate Communications, Comr. Emmanuel Tortiv, said the appeal was made during a one-day sensitization programme held in Gwagwalada, Abuja, under AEA’s Financial Literacy Campaign for MSMEs across the FCT.
The programme, anchored on the theme ‘Nigeria’s New Tax Laws and their Implications for SMEs’, brought together entrepreneurs, market leaders, artisans and representatives of business associations, to gain practical knowledge of Nigeria’s evolving tax system.
The statement added that resource persons from the NRS and FCT-IRS provided participants with detailed explanations of the country’s new tax reforms and their implications for MSMEs.
Presentations focused on tax registration and filing obligations for businesses across different revenue thresholds, tax incentives and reliefs available to MSMEs, proper financial record-keeping for compliance, common tax compliance errors and how to avoid penalties, as well as the use of digital tax platforms for payments and taxpayer feedback.
The interactive session also enabled participants to raise concerns over multiple taxation, unclear tax classifications and cash flow constraints affecting small businesses.
Delivering the keynote address, Acting Managing Director (MD), AEA,mDr. Chudi Ugwuada-Ezirigwe, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs through financial education.
“Understanding tax today means building stronger businesses tomorrow. Financial literacy is one of the foundations of entrepreneurship. When business owners understand their obligations and the opportunities within the tax system, they can plan better, access finance and grow,” he noted.
Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe said AEA would continue to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and market linkages needed to thrive in an increasingly dynamic business environment.
“Our collaboration with the NRS and FCT-IRS is deliberate. We want to bridge the knowledge gap and ensure that no Abuja entrepreneur is left behind as the new tax reforms are implemented nationwide. Our goal is to build businesses that are compliant, competitive and bankable,” he added.
The NRS delegation was led by Iyabode Ibrahim and Tapji Joseph, while the technical session was facilitated by Murtala Nyako, who disclosed that discussions are ongoing at the national level to address the challenge of multiple taxation affecting MSMEs and taxpayers across the country.
Leading the FCT-IRS delegation, the Gwagwalada Tax Controller, Mr. Muhammed Bello, demonstrated the tax filing process and urged business owners to obtain their Tax Identification Number (TIN) to ensure compliance and improve their eligibility for government support programmes.
Officials of both the NRS and FCT-IRS assured participants of improved taxpayer services and a more business-friendly tax administration.
They explained that the new tax framework is designed to broaden the tax base, ease the burden on small businesses and strengthen government revenue for infrastructure development and public service delivery.
Participants described the sensitization programme as timely and impactful, noting that it dispelled common misconceptions about taxation while providing direct access to tax experts for guidance.
One of the participants, Mrs. Patricia Ardey, commended AEA for organizing the programme.
“Financial knowledge is the foundation of sound business management,” she said.
Another participant, Mrs. Hauwa Nuhu, a caterer, said the programme had broadened her understanding of taxation.
“I have learned a great deal from this sensitization programme and look forward to more capacity-building initiatives from the government,” she stated.
The Gwagwalada programme is the latest in a series of AEA’s financial literacy and business development outreach initiatives across the six Area Councils of the FCT.
The agency said similar engagements would continue to expand awareness of Nigeria’s tax reforms and better prepare MSMEs for emerging policy changes affecting taxation, trade and access to finance.
*PHOTO CAPTION: Dr. Ugwuada-Ezirigwe presenting his remarks at the event.
