The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), has inducted 1900 new associate members as certified chartered practitioners in the field of taxation, calling on its members to eschew all forms of professional misconduct, uphold the integrity of the Institute and be prudent in all their dealings especially in professional services rendered to their clients at various levels of engagement.
Mr Innocent Ohagwa, the 17th President of CITN, said at the 53rd induction ceremony of the Institute in Lagos that the exercise was a mechanism to grow the tax administration system of the country.
Ohagwa urged the new members to shun all acts of unethical practices and be prudent in all their dealings regarding the profession.
He explained that an investigating panel has been empowered by the Charter of the Institute to investigate cases of professional misconduct as they affect members.
He added that the Disciplinary Tribunal was statutorily saddled with the responsibility of disciplining any member found guilty, saying that sanctions include delisting names of erring members from members’ register amongst others.
“You are hereby advised to eschew all forms of professional misconduct, be prudent and accountable in all your dealings, especially in professional services rendered to your clients at various levels of engagement.
“It is imperative that as tax professionals, we should support the government toward achieving a tax-driven economy.
“This is even more important as our nation is at a defining moment in its fiscal history. The ongoing tax reforms, indeed represents one of the most robust and decisive shift toward a more efficient, streamlined and technically driven tax administration in Nigeria. The reform is poised to reshape the tax system and redefine how fiscal policy drives national development come January, 2026 and beyond.
“In this context, tax professionals of the CITN remains central to the effective transition of these commendable policy and legal frameworks into actions. Thus, taxation under the current reform landscape demands more efficient, ethical and sound tax professionals. As new practitioners of the profession, the onus is on you to lead the way in this regard,” Ohagwa said.
In his Keynote Address, the Special Guest of Honour, Chief (Dr) Oladeji Akinyele tasked the new inductees on acquisition of new knowledge and capacity development to remain relevant in the field of tax profession.
Akinyele said that success of taxation practice was built on education, capacity development and knowledge acquisition, emphasising the need to reemerge the future of tax profession in Nigeria.
He, therefore, advised that the inductees should continuously educate themselves, acquire new knowledge and be up-to-date with new developments in the profession.
According to him, education is key, saying that tax practitioners should learn on daily basis; study and know the law, the regulations and orders guiding the profession and the country.
“Strive to make the Institute better than you met it; be the drivers of the profession and always act diligently in accordance with the tax rules.
“There are challenges out there that you need to surmount, and your ability to withstand and cope with the challenges will make you a better person in the profession.
“Establish network of friends and maintain it over a long period. Retuned yourself to be relevant by always pursuing new knowledge and experiences; once you have these basic tools, money will naturally come. But, don’t allow money drive your attitude/behaviour in the profession,” Akinyele said.
Similarly, Dr Gbenga Daniel, FCTI, sensitised the new inductees, urging them to uphold the principles of peaceful, innovative and harmonious working relationship with one another.
“The manner in which you engage and render your professional services to your clients will go a long way in shaping the perception of the institute,” Daniel said
The Registrar/Chief Executive of CITN, Mrs Afolake Oso, said the induction signifies commitment on the part of the inductees to become ambassadors of the profession at all times.
Oso urged the inductees to identify with activities of the Institute by actively participating in seminars, workshops and others programmes, especially being up-to-date with all financial obligations.
The event featured presentation of awards to some students for their outstanding performance, where Isa Aishatu emerged the Overall Best Student.
