TaxADR, in collaboration with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) of the United Kingdom, has convened a landmark two-day roundtable to chart a clear roadmap for integrating Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms into Nigeria’s tax system.
Held under the theme “Unlocking Revenue & Strengthening Dispute Resolution: A Roadmap to Tax ADR in Nigeria”, the hybrid event began on Tuesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, bringing together a wide spectrum of stakeholders including government officials, tax administrators, legal professionals, ADR practitioners, international experts, business leaders, and academics.
The roundtable is taking place at a critical juncture, following the recent approval of the National ADR Policy by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. This policy provides an enabling framework for embedding ADR into various aspects of public administration, including the often-contentious area of tax dispute resolution.
According to Barrister Lateef O. Yusuff, Founder of TaxADR, the roundtable is a timely intervention aimed at addressing Nigeria’s persistent tax dispute backlog, enhancing investor confidence, and boosting government revenue.
“With the introduction of the National ADR Policy and recent tax reforms, Nigeria is at a pivotal moment. We now have a unique opportunity to institutionalise ADR within the tax ecosystem to reduce litigation costs, improve efficiency, and increase taxpayer trust,” he stated during a media briefing in Lagos ahead of the event.
Two-Pronged Approach
The event is structured into two components. Day One, held on 25 June, is a public lecture session, open to all participants and aimed at raising awareness and fostering a deeper understanding of ADR’s role in the tax environment.
Keynote speakers include Anita Erinne, Coordinating Secretary of the Tax Appeal Tribunal, who is addressing “The New Tax Reforms and the Role of ADR”, and Fiona McRoberts, Head of ADR at HMRC, UK, who is sharing insights on “A Decade of ADR in HMRC: A Collaborative Approach to Dispute Resolution”.
Day Two, taking place on 26 June, will feature a technical workshop designed for professionals actively involved in tax dispute resolution. The session, which carries Continuing Professional Development (CPD) accreditation from both the UK and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), offers hands-on training and peer learning among tax officials, legal experts, policy makers, and ADR professionals.
The workshop aims to explore the operationalisation of ADR tools within Nigeria’s tax jurisdictions, drawing on both local experiences and international best practices.
Reinforcing Nigeria’s Economic Recovery
The organisers of the roundtable have reiterated the importance of a strengthened tax system in national economic recovery efforts. They argue that multi-sectoral cooperation, anchored on sound policy and innovative dispute resolution mechanisms, is vital to increasing revenue generation, attracting investment, and fostering job creation.
“An efficient and trustworthy tax dispute resolution system reduces the time, cost, and uncertainty associated with litigation, and promotes voluntary tax compliance,” said Barr. Yusuff. “It aligns Nigeria with global standards and sends a strong signal to investors about the transparency and fairness of our tax system.”
Dignitaries and Participation
Dignitaries expected at the roundtable include the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Minister of State for Finance, and the Executive Chairman of the FIRS, among others.
Participation is open to a broad audience across the public and private sectors, and the hybrid format ensures accessibility to a wider stakeholder base through online streaming.
