ODIRS, Elizade University collaborate to boost tax awareness

The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) has partnered with the Elizade University Tax Club to enhance tax awareness among young people, emphasizing the role of taxation in national development.

Speaking at a tax awareness program held in Akure, the state capital, ODIRS Acting Chairman, Mr. Adebayo Rojugbonkan, stressed the importance of engaging youths in tax education. 

He highlighted that fostering a culture of tax responsibility would contribute to the state's economic growth.

As part of its modernization efforts, ODIRS has embraced technology to make tax payments more accessible. Rojugbonkan announced that taxpayers can now complete transactions via the agency’s website, banks, mobile phones, and a dedicated USSD code, ensuring seamless and efficient tax remittance.

"With this innovation, individuals can pay their taxes from anywhere in the world. We have also set up a specialized department to oversee all payments made through the system," he said.

He further emphasized that investing in young people is crucial for long-term tax compliance. "If we want meaningful progress in this country, we must equip the youth with tax knowledge so they can educate others and understand the importance of tax payments when they become future business leaders," he added.

Rojugbonkan also reaffirmed ODIRS’s commitment to the state government’s “OUR EASE” initiative, aimed at simplifying tax payments and promoting voluntary compliance.

Elizade University Tax Club Staff Adviser, Mrs. Chiyenre Oloko, underscored the need for greater tax compliance, noting that widespread tax evasion hinders infrastructural development. "If citizens fulfill their tax obligations, the government will have the necessary resources to improve infrastructure, including better roads and public services," she said.

Club President, Adejumoke Adeleye, explained that the outreach program focuses on educating the public about their tax rights, responsibilities, and the consequences of evasion. "We are engaging with markets, motor parks, and public spaces to enlighten people on taxation, and the response has been positive," she stated.

She emphasized that tax compliance is a shared responsibility, adding that the initiative aligns with the state’s broader development agenda to create a more sustainable economic future.