Wadata Media and Advocacy Centre (WAMAC) and Dream 92.5 FM have identified as a breakthrough in the fight against corruption, the Enugu tax reform – the State Government’s new tax consolidation law. Furthermore, the reform comes with a one-stop shop for payment of all taxes due to the government in the state.
The two organisations had in a co-produced investigative radio programme, Korokoro Eye exposed massive corruption in the taxation system of Enugu State. A statement signed by the Executive Director of WAMAC, Zubair Abdurra’uf Idris, disclosed this. Additionally, how some episodes of the programme investigated allegations of tax fraud, and failure to remit all the paid funds by agents claiming to work for the state government.
According to the statement, the undercover investigations revealed that some agents made shop owners at Ogui Road, Monarch, and other areas individually pay N23,250 without remitting N5,250 to the government portals or in some cases, the whole amount.
WAMAC’s co-produced weekly programme on Dream 92.5 FM, Enugu, with support from the MacArthur Foundation. In addition, there are other anticorruption programmes co-produced with different radio stations in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. All these serve as a way of giving a voice to the voiceless, exposing fraudulent activities, and working towards good governance in the country.
Enugu Tax Reform – Government’s Response
After the WAMAC/Dream FM investigation series on tax fraud in Enugu State, the state government enacted the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (Establishment and Consolidation of Revenue Administration) Law, 2025.
The new tax consolidation law prescribes that all taxes due to the government in the state shall henceforth be paid through a one-stop shop. This development, thus addresses the issue of multiple taxation and collection without issuing receipts. The Enugu tax reform makes revenue collection transparent. Moreover, it protects owners of businesses from harassment by unauthorized people collecting money under the guise of government taxation.
Consequently, WAMAC applauds the effort of the Enugu State government and urges the authorities to ensure the law actively serves its purpose
“This victory testifies to the power of investigative journalism and civic engagement, so, we remain committed to exposing corruption, holding authorities accountable, and making sure that policies serve the interest of the people.” The statement said