By Samuel Sunday
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS), Mr. Olaniran Olatona, has assured business owners that the agency is committed to helping enterprises grow rather than burdening them with excessive taxation, saying a thriving business community remains key to the state’s revenue growth.
Speaking during a media engagement with journalists in Ado-Ekiti, Olatona said EKIRS has shifted its focus from aggressive enforcement to taxpayer education, dialogue and voluntary compliance, stressing that the agency understands businesses cannot pay taxes if they fail.
“If businesses don’t grow, we won’t be able to grow our revenue. That is why we are concerned about your businesses. We want them to survive, expand and prosper because that is the only sustainable way government revenue can grow,” he said.
The EKIRS boss explained that instead of relying on shop closures and roadblocks, the agency now visits businesses, markets, universities and professional groups to educate taxpayers on their obligations and encourage compliance through engagement rather than intimidation.
He disclosed that the service also plans to organise seminars for traders and small business owners to improve their understanding of taxation, record keeping and business management, noting that ignorance of tax laws remains one of the biggest challenges facing the informal sector.
“We want our people to understand taxation better. We are ready to educate them on how to keep proper records, manage their businesses and comply with the law. We don’t want businesses to collapse because when they grow, the state also grows,” Olatona stated.
He urged market associations and business groups to engage professional tax consultants who can guide members on their tax obligations, explaining that this would reduce disputes and promote better understanding between taxpayers and the revenue service.
Olatona reaffirmed that EKIRS would continue to prioritise dialogue, transparency and digital innovation while creating a tax environment that supports business growth, attracts investment and strengthens Ekiti State’s economic development.
