Coneri Blog

CRIRS, Council Chairmen Sensitize Stakeholders on Nigeria’s New Tax Law

The Cross River State Internal Revenue Service (CRIRS), in collaboration with Chairmen of the various Local Government Councils in the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, on Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd January 2026, organized a sensitization programme on the New Nigeria Tax Acts for stakeholders across the two senatorial districts.

The two-day exercise held at the Ogoja Council Hall for the Northern Senatorial District and the Ikom Council Hall for the Central Senatorial District, respectively, attracted tax consultants, accountants, tax practitioners, business owners, market men and women, traditional rulers, and other critical stakeholders, with the objective of deepening public understanding of recent tax reforms and their implications for businesses and revenue generation.

Speaking at the programme, the Chairman of the Cross River State Internal Revenue Service, Prince Edwin Okon, PhD, reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Governor Bassey Edet Otu to strengthening internally generated revenue through transparency, compliance, and sustained stakeholder engagement and noted that continuous enlightenment of taxpayers remains central to building trust and improving voluntary compliance across the state.

Earlier, the CRIRS Board Director for the Northern Senatorial District, Mr. Francis Peters, explained that the new tax laws are designed to simplify tax administration, broaden the tax base, reduce revenue leakages, and create a more business-friendly environment. He encouraged participants to take full advantage of the sensitization clinic to seek clarification and properly align their business operations with the provisions of the law.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Council, Hon. Chris Agbe, expressed appreciation to Governor Otu and the management of CRIRS for bringing the sensitization to the grassroots, maintaining that such a move will go a long way in ensuring quick and desired result. He pledged the council’s support towards effective implementation of the new Tax Acts and improved collaboration with Revenue Authorities to enhance compliance within the Local Government Area.

Similarly, the Executive Chairman of Ikom Local Government Council, Pst. Hon. Mrs. Mercy Nsor, has described the sensitization as timely and strategic, noting that a clear understanding of tax laws is essential for voluntary compliance and sustainable development at both state and local government levels. Mrs Nsor, who was represented by one of her supersors urged stakeholders to embrace the reforms and partner government in driving economic growth.

On his part, Eld. Dr. Ndoma Odey, FCTI, CRIRS Board Director for the Central Senatorial District, emphasized the critical role of taxation in funding infrastructure and social services, stressing that effective collaboration between government and taxpayers remains key to economic growth and overall development. He promised continued partnership with both public and private individuals and organizations towards achieving the vision of the Board.

Reacting, Participants across both Senatorial Zones commended CRIRS and the Local Government Councils for the initiative, describing the sensitization as enlightening and impactful, with the potential to enhance voluntary compliance, reduce tax disputes, and improve revenue mobilization across Cross River State. The sensitization programme forms part of CRIRS’ broader strategy to strengthen

Outside the chairmen of Ogoja, Boki and Etung Local Government councils, other stakeholders present at both sessions included the Vice Chairmen of Bekwarra and Yala Local Government Councils, while Ikom and Obubra Local Government Councils were represented by the Supervisor for Finance and the Supervisor for Peace and Security, respectively. Also present were representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Peace Corps, Ikom Chamber of Commerce, CRIRS Board Directors for the Central and Northern zones, senior government officials, traditional rulers, and representatives of professional bodies and relevant agencies.

Highlight of the events was the technical presentations of papers by Dr. Patience Vouda Egwu, Head of Revenue Assurance, CRIRS, and Mr. Victor Okpelewu, Director of the Property Tax Department, CRIRS. The two presenters covered critical areas of discourse, including Understanding Nigeria’s New Tax Laws, SME Clinic on Nigeria Tax Laws 2025, and The Implications of the New Tax Reforms on Businesses. And participants were taken through compliance requirements, property tax administration, and practical strategies for adapting to the new reforms.

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Mrs F***y Odey Attends GEEP 3.0 Stakeholders Roundtable Event in Abuja

The Cross River State Programme Manager for the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP), Mrs. F***y Odey, on Thursday, joined key policymakers and development partners at the GEEP 3.0 Stakeholders Roundtable held at the National Assembly Library, Abuja.

The event, themed “Building Trust, Strengthening Transparency and Scaling Impact through Financial Inclusion,” attracted stakeholders across board to review progress, strengthen accountability, and deepen collaboration in the implementation of GEEP under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Delivering keynote addresses, the National Coordinator of NSIP, Associate Prof. Lawal Badamasi, represented by Mr. Nsikan Okon, the National Programme Manager for N-Power, and the National Programme Manager of GEEP, Mr. Hamza Ibrahim Baba, highlighted the programme’s achievements and outlined its new direction towards deepening financial inclusion for the poor and vulnerable.

The roundtable also spotlighted ongoing institutional efforts on economic and financial inclusion (EFI), ranging from housing, broadband connectivity, and MSME financing, to social protection schemes such as conditional cash transfers, student loans, and farmer support programmes as well as the role of the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI) in addressing Nigeria’s EFI challenges through innovation-driven, outcome-based strategies aligned with national goals.

According to Dr. Nurudeen Abubakar Zauro, Executive Secretary/CEO of PreCEFI and GEEP, the initiative seeks to “drop the high walls of isolation and let the benefits of democracy flow to the underserved.” He stressed the importance of collaboration across federal, state, and private sector actors in ensuring financial inclusion for all Nigerians.

In her remark, the Cross River GEEP program manager Ms. F***y Odey, emphasized the impact of GEEP interventions such as MarketMoni, TraderMoni, and FarmerMoni in supporting small traders, farmers, and households across the state and expressed appreciation to the Presidency for sustaining the programme under the Renewed Hope Initiatives. Mrs Odey conveyed Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its agenda for poverty reduction, inclusivity, and grassroots empowerment.

The event concluded with a call to action for stronger governance, political will, and investment in digital and financial infrastructure to unlock opportunities for the under-reached, particularly women, youth, and rural communities.

Eriacy Confidence Oba
Cross River GEEP Media