‘Participation has been curated to ensure relevance rather than volume’

Dr. Caroline Ndubuisi, FCTI, chairperson, 28th Annual Tax Conference speaks in this interview on how The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) ensures this year’s edition is unique in depth and diversity of participation, writes Chioma Nwangwu. Excerpts:

Given Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms, how important is this conference in shaping stakeholder alignment between government, businesses, and tax professionals?

The Conference plays a central role in driving alignment at a critical stage of reform. It brings together Policymakers, Administrators, and Practitioners/Consultants and Taxpayers on a single platform, enabling constructive engagement on both policy intent and practical application.

That interaction is essential for reducing uncertainty, improving consistency in interpretation, and supporting a more coordinated and predictable tax environment.

What steps has the planning committee taken to ensure strong participation from international experts and global tax bodies?

Participation has been curated to ensure relevance rather than volume. The focus has been on engaging experts who can provide comparative insights, practical experiences, and perspectives from other jurisdictions that are directly applicable to Nigeria’s reform journey. This approach ensures that global contributions are not theoretical, but useful in shaping local practice and policy refinement.

The conference is being held in Abuja again this year. What informed the choice of location, and how does it align with the conference’s objectives?

Abuja remains a strategic choice because it is the centre of fiscal policy coordination in Nigeria. A poll was carried out at the initial planning stages which puts Abuja as a preferred choice of location.

At a time when the 2025 tax reforms are transitioning into implementation, proximity to key decision-makers enables direct engagement between policymakers, administrators, and practitioners.

It has the infrastructure in terms of venue to host a secure, high-level hybrid event and meets international standards.

Beyond location, the Conference is positioned as a high-level policy and professional platform, bringing together stakeholders across government, the private sector, academia, and international institutions to engage on practical implementation issues. This Conference is not just about discussing tax reforms—it is about ensuring they translate into effective, coordinated, and sustainable outcomes for Nigeria’s economy.

With security concerns often top of mind for large gatherings, what specific measures have been implemented to ensure participants’ safety throughout the event?

Security has been integrated into the planning framework from the outset. The venue—the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre—provides a controlled environment with established safety infrastructure.

In addition, we have implemented accreditation-based access, coordinated security presence, and structured movement protocols. The objective is to ensure a secure and seamless environment that allows participants to focus fully on engagement.

How many delegates are you expecting this year, both physically and virtually, and how does that compare with previous editions?

We are projecting over 4,000 participants across both physical and virtual platforms, which is consistent with the Conference’s standing as one of the most significant tax gatherings on the continent. What distinguishes this year’s edition is the depth and diversity of participation, with strong representation from policymakers, regulators, private sector leaders, and international contributors—reflecting the importance of the current reform phase.

Hybrid events can be difficult to execute seamlessly. How are you ensuring a smooth experience for both in-person and virtual attendees?

The hybrid format has been deliberately designed to accommodate a broad range of participants, including members and non-members, both within and outside Nigeria, who are interested in engaging with the evolving tax landscape.

It is supported by robust digital infrastructure and synchronised session delivery, ensuring that virtual participants can access proceedings in real time and participate meaningfully alongside physical attendees.

This approach ensures a seamless, inclusive, and high-quality experience, while expanding the reach and impact of the Conference.

The theme focuses on “Tax Reforms and Global Relevance: Positioning Nigeria’s Tax System for a Sustainable Future”. What practical outcomes or policy shifts do you expect to emerge from these discussions?

The emphasis is on practical implementation and measurable impact. Discussions will assess how current reforms are performing, identify areas where further clarity or adjustment may be required, and explore how Nigeria’s tax system can align more effectively with global standards while supporting domestic economic priorities.

Participants are expected to leave with clear insights that can be applied directly in administration, law, advisory and business decision-making.

To what extent will this year’s conference address concerns around taxpayer trust, compliance, and the informal sector?

These issues are central to the Conference agenda. There is a clear recognition that sustainable revenue depends on trust, transparency, and ease of compliance.

Discussions will focus on practical approaches to simplifying processes, strengthening engagement, and creating pathways for greater inclusion of the informal sector within the tax system.

What role do you expect young professionals and emerging tax practitioners to play in this year’s conference?

Young professionals are expected to play a forward-looking and active role, particularly in areas where the tax system is evolving, such as digital compliance and emerging economic models.

The Conference provides an opportunity for them to engage with leading figures in the profession, gain exposure to real policy and practice issues, and build the capacity required to operate effectively in a changing tax environment.

Beyond discussions, how will the outcomes of this year’s conference be tracked and implemented to ensure they have a real impact on Nigeria’s tax system?

The Conference is structured to produce outcomes that extend beyond the event itself. Key insights and recommendations will be documented, synthesised, and integrated into ongoing engagements with relevant authorities and stakeholders.

This ensures that the Conference contributes to a continuous reform process, supporting both policy refinement and improvements in tax administration.