NOA Targets 200 Radio Stations, 72 Languages for New Tax Law Awareness

NOA Targets 200 Radio Stations, 72 Languages for New Tax Law Awareness

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja

The National Orientation Agency (NOA) says it is deploying its network of over 200 radio stations and communication in 72 local languages to drive nationwide awareness and public support for the new Tax Act, whose implementation begins in January 2026.

Director General of NOA, Malam Lanre Issa-Onilu, made this commitment when the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, led members of the committee on a courtesy visit to the agency in Abuja.

Issa-Onilu said technology has made it easy for mischievous actors to spread fake news and wrong narratives about the new tax laws. He stressed the need to sensitise Nigerians on the benefits of the tax reforms to counter misinformation from people “who are either genuinely ignorant of its provisions or those acting out of mischief and an ulterior motive to undermine the efforts of the government to improve the tax system.”

According to him, the new Tax Law will be beneficial to Nigerians as it addresses double taxation currently faced by companies, business people, workers, individuals and investors, among other concerns.

He highlighted NOA’s extensive grassroots presence, noting that the agency’s nationwide offices and competent staff regularly engage communities to promote government policies and national values.

The DG also emphasised NOA’s ability to reach diverse demographics across the country using tailored communication strategies.

“We have done mapping across the country for engagements with all Nigerians; that is why we can engage groups such as associations, CSOs, traders union, leaders, women groups, youths and many others.

“We do engagements with different groups across the country, and our staff are usually chosen from among the people so the people trust them; that is part of the advantage we have,” he said.

Highlighting the agency’s media partnerships, Issa-Onilu said, “We work with over 200 radio stations across the country, and partner with 36 television stations, all put together broadcasting in about 72 local languages.”

He added that the NOA was also leveraging technology to improve public enlightenment. “We launched our own version of ChatGPT called CLHEEAN, a special Voice/Chat Assistant where Nigerians can engage and get authentic information on all government policies,” he explained.

Earlier, Chairman of the Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the visit was to seek NOA’s support in pushing out accurate information about the new tax laws and countering widespread misinformation.

He said: “We believe that working together with NOA will ensure the passage of accurate information to Nigerians, even to those at the grassroots to know the benefits of the new tax laws.”

Oyedele added that the committee was considering relatable message formats to counter false narratives: “We may need to create scenarios and have farmers, students, CEOs and others to say what the reform can do for them. These can counter the wrong narratives by some content providers that are against the law.”

He said Nigerians were unlikely to protest the reforms once they gain clarity on the benefits, adding that public enlightenment was crucial to acceptance.

The visit featured the presentation of the new tax laws to the NOA DG by the Tax Reforms team, and the return presentation of the National Value Charter plaque to the committee chairman by the NOA leadership.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the Tax Reforms Bill into law in June as part of efforts to simplify and strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal system.