Citizens Urged to Track Taxes as Kaduna Hosts Gender-Responsive Budget Workshop

By Uangbaoje Alex, Kaduna

Civil society groups and tax justice advocates have raised concerns over citizens’ limited knowledge of how government revenues are generated, allocated, and spent, warning that without proper oversight, the new Tax Act may not translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.

Speaking at a two-day Gender-Responsive Budget Literacy Workshop in Kaduna, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) stressed that poor public awareness and weak monitoring remain key obstacles to accountability in Nigeria’s budgeting process.

Asaolu Dorcas, Program Gender Officer at CISLAC, noted that while Kaduna has made progress in reforming its revenue systems, citizens still struggle to follow the money.

“The new Tax Act was signed into law two months ago, but how many people know its provisions or what it means for them? Without knowledge, we cannot effectively engage. 

“This training is about equipping citizens to analyze projects, track resources, and hold government accountable,” she said.

Participants also highlighted the lack of gender sensitivity in public finance, pointing out that women, youth, and people with disabilities are often left out of budget priorities. 

Dorcas emphasized that gender is not just about men and women but about diversity and inclusion, urging policymakers to ensure no group is excluded from service delivery.

Simeon Olatunde, Coordinator of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ&GP), Kaduna Chapter, warned that public distrust in government policies is widening the gap between citizens and the state.

“One of the biggest challenges we face is ensuring that people understand, believe in, and engage with policies that affect their lives. Our job as civil society is to bridge that gap and push for changes where there are gaps,” he said.

On its part, the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) admitted that citizen engagement is crucial for achieving transparency and efficiency. 

Its spokesperson, Zakari Muhammed, said the agency is committed to working with civil society to mainstream gender responsiveness into revenue processes under the state’s Tax Improvement Plan.

The workshop was organized by TJ&GP, supported by CISLAC and Christian Aid, focuses on building capacity for budget analysis, advocacy, and monitoring of government spending in health, education, agriculture, and gender mainstreaming. 

Organizers say the ultimate goal is to ensure that taxes and public revenues are translated into equitable services for all Nigerians.