A tax expert and auditor, Olayinka Oyebola, has called for the urgent alignment of Nigeria’s tax system with global best practices, stating that such reforms are crucial for strengthening compliance, improving efficiency, and enhancing the country’s economic competitiveness.
Expert's Statement at CITN Conference
Oyebola, the Managing Partner of Olayinka Oyebola & Co Consult, made the call in a statement congratulating members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) on the occasion of its 28th Annual Tax Conference. The conference, themed “Tax Reforms and Global Relevance: Positioning Nigeria’s Tax System for a Sustainable Future,” was held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, from May 11 to 15, 2026. It attracted stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.
Timely and Relevant Theme
According to Oyebola, the conference theme was timely and relevant, especially as Nigeria continues to explore reforms aimed at modernizing its tax administration framework. He noted that a globally competitive tax system would not only improve revenue generation but also strengthen investor confidence and support sustainable national development.
Oyebola commended the institute’s leadership for successfully hosting the conference, describing it as a platform that promotes knowledge exchange and professional development among tax practitioners. He also emphasized the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct in tax practice, warning that the integrity of the system largely depends on the conduct of practitioners.
“Nigeria’s tax system must align with global best practices if we are to achieve efficiency and sustainability in revenue administration,” he said.
Confidence in Nigerian Professionals
The tax expert expressed confidence in the capacity of Nigerian professionals to compete favorably with their global counterparts, noting that the country is blessed with highly skilled practitioners across the sector. He urged practitioners to remain vigilant and avoid individuals he described as “sharks” within the profession who could mislead or compromise ethical standards.
Oyebola further reiterated his firm’s commitment to international best practices, stating that his organization continues to collaborate with relevant stakeholders both locally and internationally to promote integrity in tax administration. He added that adherence to due process and professional standards remains essential for building a transparent and credible tax system in Nigeria.
The expert also called on practitioners to continuously update their knowledge and adapt to emerging global trends in taxation to remain relevant in an evolving financial environment.
