NSUK Hosts 61st Inaugural Lecture, Calls for Stronger Tax Governance Framework in Nigeria

The Nasarawa State University Keffi has hosted its 61st Inaugural Lecture, with renewed calls for a transparent, efficient, and citizen-focused tax system capable of supporting sustainable national development.

The lecture, held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the University Assembly Hall, was delivered by Professor Abdullahi Danjuma Zubairu of the Faculty of Administration, Accounting and Taxation, and attracted academics, policymakers, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sa’adatu Hassan Liman, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Maikano Mohammed Ari, commended the Inaugural Lecture Committee for the successful organization of the event.

He noted that taxation goes beyond revenue generation, describing it as a key instrument that shapes the relationship between government and citizens through what he termed a “social contract” that sustains critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and national security.

Delivering the lecture titled “Designing an Effective Governance Framework for Tax Reform in Nigeria's Developing Economy,” Professor Zubairu emphasized the need for a robust governance structure to support fair, accountable, and inclusive tax administration in Nigeria.

He identified key challenges affecting the tax system, including low taxpayer trust due to perceived lack of transparency, weak institutional coordination, fragmented policy implementation, and difficulties in integrating the informal sector into the formal tax framework.

The lecturer further highlighted the importance of behavioral and psychological factors in shaping tax compliance, noting that taxation should be understood not only as a financial obligation but also as a trust-based relationship between citizens and the state.

As part of his recommendations, Professor Zubairu urged universities to play a more active role in tax reform through research, policy simulation, and capacity building for future tax professionals.

He also called on international development partners to design interventions that reflect Nigeria’s socio-economic realities, rather than relying on externally imposed models with limited local adaptability.

Additionally, he advocated stronger collaboration between government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and sub-national actors to ensure effective and sustainable tax reforms.

Goodwill messages were delivered by former Vice-Chancellor Professor Muhammad Akaro Mainoma, Hon. Dr. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, and Dr. Abdulmumin Zubairu Loko, who represented the family of the celebrant.

The event concluded with the presentation of an Award of Excellence to Professor Zubairu in recognition of his contributions to academic scholarship and fiscal policy research, followed by group photographs to mark the occasion.