NANTA a critical ally in Nigeria’s tax reform drive–Oyedele
Maureen Aguta
Nigeria’s sweeping tax reform agenda is poised for success if sustained collaboration with industry stakeholders continues, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, has said.
Speaking in Lagos while receiving a delegation from the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Oyedele stressed that structured engagement with influential trade bodies is key to closing knowledge gaps and ensuring seamless implementation of the country’s evolving tax framework.
The delegation was led by NANTA President, Yinka Folami.
Oyedele said interactions with organised private sector groups have revealed new insights into sector-specific dynamics, noting that the travel trade association represents a strategic partner in the reform process.
“Our committee has engaged several multi-layered organisations, including airlines, but today’s interaction has opened another frontier of understanding. With this level of engagement, I am optimistic that the tax reforms will succeed,” he said.
Record-Keeping Key to Compliance
The tax reform chief urged travel agencies to prioritise accurate documentation of account turnover and banking records, warning that poor record-keeping could expose operators to avoidable tax liabilities arising from discrepancies.
He added that the committee would maintain continuous dialogue with NANTA to address grey areas within the downstream aviation tax ecosystem.
Oyedele also indicated willingness to honour an invitation to attend NANTA’s 50th Anniversary and Annual General Meeting scheduled for April in Ibadan, describing the event as another opportunity to deepen engagement with a critical stakeholder community.
Industry Seeks Clarity on Multiple Taxes
In his remarks, Folami said travel agencies remain concerned about the burden of multiple taxation in the sector, particularly levies embedded in airline ticket pricing that are often attributed to agents and sometimes subjected to double taxation.
He called for clearer interpretation of tax obligations and sustained engagement with relevant authorities, especially the Nigerian Revenue Service (formerly Federal Inland Revenue Service), to resolve longstanding concerns.
“We support government tax policies and national development objectives, but our members need clarity on their obligations. This engagement underscores our commitment to building a knowledge-based partnership with government on tax reforms,” Folami said.
Delegation and Policy Dialogue
The NANTA team included Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alhaji Aminu Agoha; BOT member Daisi Olotu; Bankole Bernard; Chima Ihe; Mike Otubu; Financial Secretary Yinka Ladipo; PRO Lola Adewole; Vice President (Lagos) Yinka Olapade; Kunle Oluwole; Chinwe Eluchie; and Mayowa Phillips, among others.
The courtesy visit evolved into an extensive tax policy review session, with discussions focusing on compliance, interpretation of levies, and sector-specific operational challenges.
Folami also formally invited Oyedele to speak at the association’s anniversary event, where he is expected to address operators involved in religious tourism, including Hajj and Umrah, on the benefits and practical implications of the new tax laws.
Lagos Zonal Elections Results
Meanwhile, NANTA’s Electoral Committee announced the outcome of its Lagos Zonal elections, with most immediate past executives returned unopposed.
Re-elected officers include Yinka Olapade as Vice President; Chinwe Eluche as Zonal Secretary; Enai Biboere Glory as Treasurer (first term); and Fatai Moshood Abiola as Financial Secretary (first term). Toyin Ojo was returned as Zonal Internal Auditor for a second term, while Yewande Philip Ogunbiyi retained her position as Publicity Secretary for a second term.
The elections were supervised by Mrs. Bimbo Durosimi Etti and Daisi Olotu of the Zone’s Board of Trustees, with Dr. Dagunduro Olatokunbo representing the National Executive Council as observer.
Zonal polls are conducted across NANTA’s six zones ahead of each elective Annual General Meeting, with results from other zones expected in due course.