With fewer than one in five Nigerians paying taxes — one of the lowest compliance rates in Africa; the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is turning to a long-term strategy: educating children early about taxation.
At the public unveiling of a new book, Taxation Essential Knowledge for Nigerian Children, held in Abuja, FIRS Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji, represented by Special Adviser on Research and Statistics Aisha Hamman, said studies consistently show that instilling tax knowledge from a young age leads to better tax compliance in adulthood.
“When children grow up understanding taxes, they grow up demanding transparency. And that’s a win for both governance and development,” Adedeji said.
The book, co-authored by Arabirin Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, uses cartoons and relatable stories to explain complex tax concepts in ways young learners can grasp. Over 60,000 copies have already been printed for free distribution in schools and learning centres across the country, with plans underway to expand the rollout.
This move is part of a broader effort by FIRS to meet its ambitious ₦20 trillion revenue target for 2025. Alongside policy reforms and citizen engagement campaigns, early education is being positioned as a key strategy in building a more tax-conscious population.
Atoyebi noted that many adults avoid paying taxes because they never fully understood them. “This book fills that gap early and makes learning about taxes fun,” she said.
Dr. Mohammed Abubakar, Managing Director of Sprezzatura Publishing, described the publication as groundbreaking. “We never had tax education materials as kids , this is a game changer,” he said.
By equipping future generations with basic knowledge of taxation, FIRS hopes to foster a culture of responsibility, accountability, and informed citizenship, thereby reversing decades of tax apathy in Nigeria.
