Title: NUJ Partners RSIRS to Educate Public on New Tax Law Date Published: 20 January 2026 Description: The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has pledged to partner with the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RSIRS) to educate journalists and the public on the provisions and implications of the new 2025 Nigerian Tax Laws.The Chairman of the NUJ Rivers State Council, Comrade Paul Bazia-Nsaneh, made the commitment while receiving a delegation from the RSIRS led by the agency’s Executive Chairman, Sir Israel Egbunefu, during a courtesy visit to the council secretariat.Comrade Bazia-Nsaneh said the media has a critical responsibility not only to report policies but to interpret them in ways that empower citizens, especially at a time of significant economic reforms such as the new tax regime.He stressed the importance of building the capacity of journalists through targeted trainings and workshops on the new tax laws, noting that such education would enable accurate and responsible reporting for the benefit of the public.“Journalists are trained to look at the facts, and if we must get the facts right, it has to come from authorities like yours. That is why it is important that journalists are properly trained so they can correctly inform members of the public,” he said.According to him, when journalists are adequately equipped with knowledge, they are better positioned to educate the public and dispel misconceptions surrounding government policies.The NUJ chairman also invited the RSIRS to send its officials to address members during the union’s forthcoming congress, assuring that the council would play its role in ensuring widespread public enlightenment on the new tax law.Earlier, the RSIRS Executive Chairman, Sir Israel Egbunefu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Dr. Emmanuel Legbosi, said the agency is committed to sustained public education on the operations and provisions of the new tax laws.Dr. Legbosi explained that the visit to the NUJ was part of the agency’s ongoing advocacy efforts, adding that RSIRS is eager to collaborate with the media to ensure that accurate information about the new tax regime reaches the grassroots.He noted that the tax law signed by President Bola Tinubu in 2025 has generated concerns among citizens, stressing that the agency’s mission is to address fears, clarify grey areas and douse public tension.According to him, part of RSIRS’s statutory mandate is to protect citizens from being exploited by illegal tax collectors, noting that some individuals from neighbouring states have been known to harass residents under the guise of tax enforcement.“Our people need to understand what the law is and what it is not. They need to know what constitutes a valid tax clearance and what does not,” he said.Dr. Legbosi added that partnering with the NUJ, as the fourth estate of the realm, would help bring accurate tax information closer to the people and prevent abuse.He also commended the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for linking major infrastructure projects such as the Port Harcourt Ring Road and the Trans-Kalabari Road to the state’s internally generated revenue, describing it as a demonstration of accountability and prudent resource management.The visit ended with both institutions reaffirming their commitment to collaboration aimed at promoting public understanding, compliance and trust in the new tax regime. Attached Images: e5e011470b0b0ac1893f8847cfa8844fb3ede5f73b9af2d7cf7a7cf041463d7a.jpg Attached Video: None