Kwara State stakeholders have demanded urgent tax reforms to address a "burdensome and disjointed" system they claim stifles economic activity and erodes public trust in governance.

At a tax justice consultative meeting in Ilorin organised by the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) with support from CISLAC and funding from Christian Aid Nigeria, market leaders, academics, and civil society representatives highlighted critical flaws in Nigeria's current tax structure.

Tax consultant Mr. Falana Olaropo, facilitating the session "Understanding the Tax Landscape in Kwara State," exposed widespread gaps in public awareness about tax reforms: "Citizens need clear communication on how tax revenues are utilised. Without visible accountability, compliance will remain low."

The Iyaloja General of Kwara State, Hajia Adenike Lambe, delivered a stark testimony: "Market women face excessive, uncoordinated multiple taxation. This isn't revenue generation it's economic sabotage." Her remarks underscored how informal traders bear disproportionate burdens, with some paying up to seven different levies for a single business day.

Associate Professor Ruth Abiola Adimula urged civil society organisations to champion fiscal transparency, stating: "Tax justice begins when citizens see tangible returns from their contributions."

She said many traders continue to pay levies without seeing corresponding improvements in public infrastructure or services.

Hajia Lambe said, "Initially, there was resistance. But market women eventually complied with district-based tax arrangements.

"Many years later, there's nothing to show for it. There are too many tax officers and little accounability."

She suggested a harmonised system where the federal government collects a single, cumulative tax and redistributes it proportionately, reducing the burden of dealing with multiple agents at different levels of government.

On his own, Pastor Ade Abodunde, representing Trios Human Development Foundation, linked excessive taxation to broader social issues, noting that economic pressure on households is contributing to school dropouts and increased cases of gender-based violence.

"Many parents can no longer meet basic needs because of taxes and levies. It's pushing some young girls into dangerous situations," he said.

The cleric called for regular, credible town hall meetings to bridge the trust gap between the government and citizens.

In the session on the role of civil society, Professor Khadijat Yahaya of the Society for Women in Taxation raised the alarm over the planned removal of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) by 2030.

She warned that scrapping the fund could damage Nigeria's research and education infrastructure, saying it remains a vital tool for institutional development.

Mr. Olaoye, a member of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, shared his personal experiences dealing with overlapping tax demands across different states.

He described the current system as confusing and unsustainable, and called for serious policy review and implementation of practical reforms.

The meeting also featured a co-creation session moderated by Mr. Sanni Issa Alausa, BBYDI's Communications Director.

Participants were grouped into three clusters to draft policy recommendations on inclusive tax compliance, grievance redress, and CSO-government collaboration.

Key proposals included the need for clear taxpayer education, simplified compliance procedures, and stronger oversight of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS).