FG to employ 7,500 graduates and 5,000 non-graduates says minister of Finance

The Federal Government has disclosed its plans to recruit 7,500 graduates as Community Tax Liaison Officers across the country.

Government explained that the recruits will raise tax awareness among Nigerians and consequently increase the number of taxpayers.

Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun alongside the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Babatunde Fowler made this known during a press conference in Abuja.

According to Adeosun, through this initiative, the government expect to increase the number of taxpayers by 35 percent from 14 million to about 17 million in two years.

She said, “We will be recruiting them through N-Power and they can apply through the website of the Federal Ministry of Finance or through the N-Power website.

“It’s a two-year fixed contract and they will be deployed to states, attached to state Internal Revenue Service or FIRS.

“Their job is to improve the level of education on the Nigeria’s tax system.

“Our tax system is progressive, meaning those who earn less should pay less and those who earn more should pay more.

“A lot of people don’t know that. So it’s a chance to get people on ground to answer all these pertinent questions.”

The Minister disclosed that graduates of accounting, economics, mathematics and other relevant courses would be given priority.

Adeosun also urged intelligent graduates interested in building a career in tax administration to apply as the government planned to sponsor the recruits to become tax professionals.

“This exercise is extremely important for the fiscal sustainability of states because as you know, most of the revenue for states apart from FAAC is supposed to come from tax.

“So if we improved the number of taxpayers, we will be improving the fiscal health of our state governments as well as the Federal Government.

“It’s an important initiative for the nation as we undertake reforms to reduce our over-dependence on oil.

“We have to make sure that everyone who is economically active pays tax, no matter how little, they have to contribute to the pool,” she said.