The stakeholders also concluded that without the support of the citizens, revenue generation and infrastructure development would remain a mirage for a long time.

Speakers at the Annual National Dialogue, the second edition which held in Abuja during the week, brainstormed on the challenges of revenue generation amidst decaying infrastructure.

They lamented that while government needed huge revenues for infrastructure developments, the obstacles to revenue generation were daunting.

Prominent among speakers at the event held at Merit House, Maitama, was the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, whose keynote address was presented the Director, Intergovernmental Relations, Dr. Umar Idris Ahmed.

Adedeji called for improved tax administration and public-private synergies to increase Nigeria’s revenue generation.

Other speakers included the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, who was represented by his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo; chairman of the event and former Postmaster General of the Federation, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi; an Associate Professor at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER, Ibadan, Dr. Hakeem Tijani; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Tope Fasua; Executive Director, Gender Action Initiative, Dr. Mufuliat Fijabi, and the CEO of Upshot Media, Mr. Mojeed Jamiu.

The keynote speaker, Adedeji recommended that an improved tax administration would enhance tax collection efficiency, reduce corruption, and increase transparency.

While stressing on the pivotal roles the revenue generation and infrastructural development play in overcoming economic challenges, Adedeji also suggested public-private synergies through the establishment of clear frameworks for Public-Private Partnership, PPP.

“Revenue generation and infrastructural development are pivotal to overcoming the challenges of a constrained economy.

“By adopting the transparent, inclusive and efficient strategies, government can unlock economic potential, foster innovation and improve public services.

“Improve Tax Administration: Enhanced tax collection efficiency, reduce corruption, and increase transparency.

“Enhance Public-Private Synergies: Establish clear frameworks for PPPs and encourage innovative financing to attract private investment in Infrastructure,” he said.

The FIRS chairman also made further recommendations on curbing the nation’s economic constraints among which include, strengthening institutional framework, adoption of digital solutions, and prioritizing strategic projects amongst others.

“Governments should prioritize capacity-building for regulatory bodies to enhance governance and ensure effective policy implementation.

“They should also adopt digital solutions as leveraging technology for revenue collection and infrastructure management can enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and increase efficiency.

“Prioritize Strategic Projects: Focus on high-impact projects that offer maximum economic and social returns, such as transportation, energy, and water supply.

“Foster Inclusivity: Engage stakeholders at all levels to ensure that development initiatives address the needs of all social groups,” Adedeji said.

In his opening address, Adewusi who was also a Commissioner for Finance under the administration of Governor Bola Tinubu in Lagos, called for balance between the ongoing economic reforms and social equity.

He explained that revenue generation and social equity were dependent of each other while calling for the subsidization of essential services, expansion of education and healthcare center, and investment in industrialisation.

“Revenue generation and social equity are two sides of the same coin; one cannot thrive without the other.

“As we push for reforms, we must ensure that revenue generation does not come at the expense of social equity.

“Subsidies should be targeted at essential services like electricity and transportation to shield low-income groups.

“Expanding access to education and healthcare, particularly in underserved regions, is critical for reducing inequality.

“Infrastructure investments must be inclusive, ensuring that rural and marginalized communities benefit alongside urban centers,” Adewusi said.

The former Postmaster General of the Federation lamented on Nigeria’s over-reliance on the oil sector amongst other challenges which he warned threatened the country’s progress despite boasting of $477 billion GDP in 2023.

“Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, stands at a critical juncture. Despite a GDP of $477 billion in 2023 and immense natural resources, our nation grapples with significant challenges: an over-reliance on oil, a narrow tax base, and glaring infrastructure deficits.

“These issues threaten our progress, but they also present an opportunity – a call to action for all stakeholders to rethink, innovate, and collaborate,” he said.

“Tax Base Limitations: Only 41 million Nigerians are registered taxpayers in a population of over 200 million. This narrow tax base significantly limits the government’s ability to generate sustainable revenue and fund critical infrastructure projects.

“Infrastructure Deficit: Infrastructure challenges are evident in multiple sectors. – Only 60% of Nigerians have access to electricity, a key driver of industrialization and economic growth. – Poor transport networks hinder regional trade, reducing our competitiveness in global markets,” Adewusi explained.

On solutions to the challenges, Adewusi called for the expansion of revenue sources, tax broadening, attracting private investment through Public-Private Partnerships, PPP, and adoption of technology-driven solutions amongst others.

“Broadening our tax base is essential. We must improve tax compliance by leveraging digital tools and simplifying the tax registration process,” he said.

Dr. Tijani of NISER warned against the impact of an increased tax rate on the Nigerian populace, stressing that an increase in tax rate as a means of revenue generation, will lead to an increase in poverty.

“When we are collecting tax, what type of tax are we collecting? I’m not an Economist, I’m a Political Scientist. But I know that there two approaches to generating revenues.

“There is increased tax rate. If you increase tax rate, you may indirectly increase poverty. Already, people are pushed to the wall. If you increase tax rate, you are increasing the poverty of the people,” he said.

Tijani, however, suggested the extension of taxation to other legible firms and individuals.

“An option is that you can increase the tax rate by widening it. I think that is most appropriate.

“Now that we are in this economic downturn, let us widen the tax rate. Let us include those who are not paying. Let them pay instead of increasing the tax rate that can bring more hardship to the people.

“Nigeria is a big market. We are not capitalizing on that largeness, we have very large informal market.

“We can formalize that informal market and ask them to pay more. There are goods. Those goods can be formalized and taxed,” Dr. Tijani.

Another panelist, Jamiu called for correlation between increase in revenue generation and the increase in livelihood of an average Nigerian.

“There should be correlation increase in revenue generation, increase in our external reserves, and the livelihood of an average man on the street.

“It is very important. How can we do this? Improving private enabling environment that can assist us in increasing local productivity is one.

“Yes, government has subsidized electricity for those who are in Band B and below. But how many hours of electricity are they getting?

“A man who runs a barber shop for example, if he is not careful, he might not make ends meet if he spends more money in buying fuel to run his business.

“We need to find a way to subsidize these people more so that they can also say that this is my own gain from government,” Jamiu said.

Also in attendance at the NPO Reports Annual Dialogue was Kogi state Governor, Usman Ododo, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner of Information, Hon. Kingsley Femi Fanwo.

Fanwo revealed that Kogi State government had invested N9 billion in agriculture between January to October 2024.

Fanwo disclosed the state government’s planned to work on improving the value-chain which he said was considered as a very key factor in job creation and enhancing industrialization.

“I strongly disagree with one of the discussants when he was talking about agriculture.

“For us in Kogi, we have to invest very heavily in agriculture. Between January and October this year, Kogi state has invested N9 billion to boost agriculture across the 21 local government area of the state.

“This is also very deliberate. We are also looking at the direction of value-chain improvement. We are the biggest producer of cassava and cashew.

“We cannot just ship out cashew and then buy the product from abroad.

“We are looking at the value chain which is very key.

“With the value-chain, we will be able to create more jobs. We will be able to attract a lot of industrialization into the state and lots of investments.

“And like I said, good infrastructure will birth more infrastructure. What to do when you improve infrastructure is to create an environment where more people will be able to pay their taxes. This is very crucial and this is one of the things that agricultural value-chain can bestow on our nation,” Fanwo said.

Other dignitaries present at the event include former Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu; Vice President/Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene; Judge of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Abdulahi Adam-Al-Ilori; Justice Kemi Kayode-Ariwoola of FCT High Court, and many others.

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A statement by the Chief Executive Officer, S-OK Advisory and Media Limited, publishers of NPO Reports, Semiu Okanlawon, said the event with the theme: Revenue Generation, Infrastructure Progress: Options in a Challenged Economy will hold on Tuesday November 26, 2024 at the Nigerian National Merit Award House (Merit House) Maitama, Abuja.

He said experts from those in the critical sectors of the economy, revenue generating agencies and policy analysts had been lined up to dissect issues relating to revenue generation and the challenges of infrastructure deficit in the country.

Speakers are expected to dissect issues on generating revenue to meet the huge challenges of infrastructure deficit in the critical sectors of the economy such as Education Health, Security, Roads, and others.

Prominent among those expected to speak at the event are the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adelabu Adedeji, and former Postmaster General of the Federation Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi who will be the chairman of the event.

Adewusi, who is Chairman of Global West, was also Commissioner for Finance and later Budget and Economic Planning in Lagos under the administration of then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

READ ALSO: EXTRA: ‘Chidimma fought for Africa and won’, By Kunle Awosiyan

Also expected to speak at the event are a Senior Research Fellow of Political Science in Political and Governance Policy Department at the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research, NISER, Ibadan, Dr. Hakeem Olatunji Tijani; Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters, Dr. Tope Fasua; Chief Communication Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Mr. Femi Soneye and Idayat Hassan of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, CISI.

Okanlawon said the event was in furtherance of the news medium’s commitment to deepening conversations on issues that border on the welfare of Nigerians from the actions of the government.

“For instance, current administrations at all levels are confronted with serious issues of infrastructure decay. These are very ominously manifest in the critical sectors like Education, Health, Roads, Security and others. Funds are needed to fix these.

“However, the administrations are also faced with daunting challenges in getting the needed revenues. Insecurity has made oil revenues unpredictable with the government battling to shore up crude oil production.

“The tax reforms efforts of the government are being met with stiff resistance causing the fears that the leakages of many decades and other factors causing revenue shortfalls may persist. What then are the ways out?” Okanlawon said.

He said those and many more were the issues up for discussion as the event holds on Tuesday November 26th, 2024.

Speakers at the 2023 maiden edition of the programme spoke on campaign promises as accountability issues.

They had called on political stakeholders to hold office holders accountable to the promises they make during electioneering.

NPO Reports one of the very early online publications, started as Nigeria Politics Online in April 2010.

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Pantami stated this in Abuja at the unveiling and launching of Nigeria at 60 commemorative postage stamps.

Two stamps in N500 and N100 denominations were unveiled at the ceremony.

“Soon we will be unbundling other parts of NIPOST such as Property and Development company, Transportation and Logistic company, NIPOST Microfinance Bank, among others.

“We will achieve this by leveraging on all our infrastructures around the country,” the minister said.

Pantami noted that so many positive transformations were taking place in NIPOST.

He mentioned the issuance of commemorative postage stamps as a means of documentation and propagation of the nation’s history.

He noted that the postage stamps would help Nigerians to appreciate the unity, beauty and strength of the nation’s diversity.

The minister called on Nigerians to use the occasion to reflect and appreciate the nation at 60’s journey so far.

“The stamps have been produced some months ago, but could not be unveiled due to certain circumstances.

“The production of the postage stamps was part of the items listed for the celebration of Nigeria at 60 preparations, ” he said.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, Dr Ismail Adewusi, Post Master General, PMG, of NIPOST said that the postage stamps were produced in order to celebrate the nation and document it for posterity.

He said that the history of Nigeria’s struggles dated back to past heroes and leaders whose struggles led to independence in 1960.

Adewusi noted that NIPOST had been part of the socio-cultural and economic growth of the country by the pictorial capturing of the country’s journey, via stamps.

He traced the history of postage stamps back to 1840 in the British Empire when the first set of postage stamps were introduced and later led to other postal reforms.

“Postage stamps were introduced to proffer solutions the prevailing communications and fiscal challenges in the British government,” he said.

Adewusi said postage stamps told the true history of Nigeria as recorded through its lens.

“Postage stamps are a true recorder of events for history and witness to human civilisation.

“We offer user-friendly products at our different postal formations across the country,” he said.

The two sets of stamps came with Nigerian flag and inscription ‘Nigeria @60’ boldly written on them.

NIPOST was carved out of the defunct Nigerian Post and Telecommunications, P and T, department and remained a government agency even as its sister organisation, NITEL, was since unbundled and privatised.

Source: NAN

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Chaired by the Executive Vice Chairman, EVC, of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, the membership of the committee is made up of the Executive Chairman of FIRS and heads of agencies in the ministry.

The committee was set up to discuss critical areas of synergy for the implementation of key provisions in the amended Finance Act 2020 as they affect the operations of the agencies in the ministry.

On December 31, 2020, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Finance Bill 2020 (now Finance Act) into law.

The new law which introduced over 80 amendments to 14 different laws took effect from January 1, 2021.

Some of the amendments have implications for agencies under the ministry, especially regarding the provision of information for tax purposes and deployment of technology for tax operations in the country, among others.

Speaking at the interactive session, Danbatta stated that “the objective of the interactive session is to deliberate on areas of collaboration between agencies in the ministry and FIRS for the common good of the economy.”

Also speaking, FIRS Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami, said: “We have come here to emphasise the need for cooperation and collaboration among the various agencies in terms of revenue generation in order to move the nation forward.”

Accordingly, heads of agencies in the ministry in attendance at the meeting made their contributions with respect to the implementation of the new finance law. They are the Post-Master General, Nigeria Postal Service, NIPOST, Dr. Ismail Adewusi and the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, Kashifu Abdullahi.

Other contributors during the interactive session included the Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Prof. Muhammad Abubakar; Managing Director, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, NIGCOMSAT, Dr. Abimbola Alale and the representative of the Director-General, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, and Dr. Nonye Nwachukwu, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics at the ministry.

Two sub-committees were later formed to deliberate on specific areas that require further dialogue for effective collaboration towards the implementation of the new tax law as it affects agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.

They are the committees on FIRS/NIPOST and on FIRS/NITDA.

The two committees are expected to complete their assignment and make recommendations for consideration by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy.

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This was the submission of the Postmaster General of the Federation, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, after a meeting with all NIPOST’s District Postal Managers who converged on Abuja for a two-day meeting that ended yesterday.

Adewusi said with the advent of Information Communication Technology and the introduction of e-based products, the ongoing business refocusing of the organisation became germane, adding that the organisation would do well to align itself with modern trends if it hoped to survive in a competitive information technology-driven world.

The Postmaster General explained to the DPMs that that new thinking was at the heart of the ongoing restructuring of NIPOST.

“We have to align our strategies with modern realities of digital economy across the globe. NIPOST has very great potentials to play those roles in the new world economic order but it must position itself for that new role. That is the rationale behind our restructuring,” Adewusi told the DPMs.

While hinting on the conditions of service, the Postmaster General said a committee had been set up to examine all the areas involved, adding however that remunerations would be tied to revenue generations.

Adewusi also assured the DPMs that discussions were ongoing with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, on the efforts to achieve a reversal of the stamp duty which was transferred to the Federal Inland Revenue Services.

He said NIPOST was also banking on the assurances of both committees of National Assembly (Senate and House of Representatives) of legislative assistance to ensure that the stamp duty reverted to NIPOST.

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At Thursday’s unveiling of Hansa Green Energy Solutions’ products in Abuja, the Postmaster General of the Federation and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ismail Adebayo Adewusi, said the product was a contribution towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the Federal Government.

Adewusi, who noted that the Post was a key vehicle towards achieving the United Nations’ 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals in all countries, added that NIPOST was open to partnerships that would be mutually beneficial and ensure effective and efficient service delivery and good governance.

His words: “What we are witnessing here today therefore is the rediscovery of the same Post Office but in a different way. This time around, we are re-engineering and re-inventing NIPOST through collaborations with different stakeholders from the public and private sectors and also leveraging on technology to present an array of innovative products and services aimed at meeting the divergent needs of our people. This is just one of our ways of expanding the frontiers of business opportunities.

“The unveiling of Hansa Green Energy Solutions, product of Ukpa Hansa Energy Solutions Limited today is a result of such collaborations through our agency service and our contributions toward the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs, of the Federal Government. Today, the Post is a key vehicle to achieving the United Nations 2020 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals in all countries.

“As part of the world postal network of over 660,000 post offices, NIPOST is placed in a vantage position with about 5,000 postal outlets consisting of full-fledged post offices, postal agencies and post shops with over 12,000 employees across the country to offer its agency services.

“We are making available post office counters nationwide to Ukpa Hansa Energy Solutions Limited to markets its products to Nigerians.

“This will help in the advocacy for clean energy by delivering energy solutions. From today this service would be available in our post offices nationwide on demand by customers.

“Permit me to state here that NIPOST is open to partnership that will be mutually beneficial and ensure effective and efficient service delivery and good governance,” he added.

Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Ukpa Hansa Energy Solutions, Chief Ewie Aimienwauu, said the company operated in 16 countries where it provided services in renewable energy solutions.

He listed some of the countries where the company operated to include United Arabs Emirates, China, Kuwait, Ghana, Qatar, Bahrain and Republic of Benin and others.

“We believe that our endeavours are a boost to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by the Federal Government.

“We realize how important it is that the municipalities and governments should strive and attain these noble goals. Unfortunately, even authorities with the best political wills do not have enough resources to implement the socio-physical infrastructure needed to deliver on these goals promptly,” Aimeienwauu said.

While unveiling the products, Chairman of the Board of NIPOST, Maimuna Yaya Abubakar, expressed optimism that NIPOST’s agency services would serve as veritable retail outlets for new business initiatives.

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Adewusi made the declaration as he promised that in 100 days of his assumption of office, Nigerians would witness a huge impact on government’s desire to change the face of NIPOST.

He spoke during his maiden meeting with the management and staff of company at its head office in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said he was aware of the enormous challenges facing NIPOST, and urged the workers to note that their contributions could not be divorced from the fortunes of the organisation.

He reminded them that no organisation could make any meaningful impact if the human resources were not properly harnessed in tandem with its goals.

“Those familiar with me know that wherever I go, I leave very strong legacies and NIPOST won’t be an exception,” the Postmaster General told the staff.

He informed them that he was aware there were many issues confronting NIPOST adding “they are well known to most of us and I can tell you that the challenges are enormous.”

Adewusi however added that breathing live back to dying and troubled organisations and business concerns had been his major area of interests both in public and the private sectors where he had amassed wealth of experience.

He told the staff further: “In Lagos State where I served as Commissioner for Finance under Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Internally Generated Revenue that government inherited was just about N600 million monthly. However, by the time we were leaving, we had been able to raise its IGR to N10 billion monthly and that was what subsequent administrations that came after us had built upon which I am sure has hit about N30 billion mark monthly. That is the orientation that I have come from.”

The Postmaster General said to achieve the goals of the organisation, all should work together by doing the right things at all times.

“Don’t think you will do the right thing only if the Postmaster General is there to see.

“Whatever is right is what you should do. I hate rumour mongering. While I appreciate information from all sources, they must be those information and suggestions that would lead to the overall growth of the organisation

“Rumour-mongering has tendency to ruin an organisation. I am not here for that. I am here to change the face of NIPOST and make it one of the most virile agencies in Nigeria.

“Everyone here must be part of this vision to work together and achieve our goals.”

Assuring workers of readiness to ensure welfare, Adewusi said to whom much is given, much would be expected.

“The reality is that we have a job to do and we must do it. We shall look into the issue of welfare in order to encourage productivity.

“I have a unique attribute. When I see people adding values, I appreciate and I compensate them. We must create impact within the first 100 days. There are leakages but we are going to block those leakages.

“Most problems in NIPOST today are man-made. Whether we use ICT or not, if the human factors do not change, we won’t make any progress. In 100 days, we must achieve some results.”

In her welcome address, the Chief Operating Officer of NIPOST, Mrs. Nwakanma Lorreto, said the entire management and staff were poised to support the vision of the new PMG/CEO, adding that NIPOST flaunted huge personnel who were dedicated in spite of the identifiable challenges.

“We have a huge personnel on your hand to manage and huge infrastructure scattered throughout Nigeria too to manage.

“We are all here to support and work with you and ensure the overall idea and vision and mission of this organisation are realised under your leadership,” Lorreto said.

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