CITN Tasks Tax Professionals on Competence, Ethics, Integrity

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) and industry experts have called on tax professionals to raise their technical competence, ethics and adaptability as the tax reform era takes off in 2026.Addressing inductees at the Institute’s 53rd induction ceremony, CITN President and Chairman in Council, Innocent Ohagwa, said the reforms were designed to simplify the tax system, promote citizens’ standard of living, expand the tax base, enhance fairness and strengthen compliance.

He noted that a major provision of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTAA) 2025 is the formal recognition of Tax agents, defined as persons certified by a professional body to represent taxpayers.According to him, the provision directly aligns with and reinforces the mandate of the CITN to regulate practice and uphold standards.Ohagwa stressed that the evolving tax landscape places renewed responsibility on practitioners.“Technical competence is non-negotiable. Ethical conduct has become the bedrock of trust. Professionalism is the new benchmark for relevance. Members must familiarise themselves with current tax laws and invest in continuous learning in light of the reforms.Reaffirming the Institute’s governance role, Ohagwa reminded members that tax practice remains multidisciplinary and is supported by CITN’s Investigating Panel and Disciplinary Tribunal.“Members, institutions and the public are encouraged to report any instance of unprofessional behaviour. The Institute investigates both formal reports and issues that come to its attention publicly,” he said.Also addressing the inductees, Enterprise Solutions Lead at CSDC Consulting, Dr. Akinyele Oladeji, said Nigeria’s tax professionals must embrace agility and digital competence to remain relevant.“This is not just a ceremony; it is a call to uphold integrity and advance the public good,” he said.He noted that reforms such as the establishment of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) and tools like TaxPro Max were accelerating digitalisation across the sector.“Nigeria’s tax system is moving toward simplification, digitalisation and better coordination. These developments create opportunities for professionals who are agile enough. The evolving system rewards professionals who are both ethical and tech-savvy,” he said.Registrar/Chief Executive of the institute, Mrs. Afolake Oso, also announced the rollout of automated membership profiles that allow members to process subscriptions and maintain compliance digitally. She explained that the new system forms part of the Institute’s strategy to modernise its operations and strengthen its monitoring structure.