By Sade Adewale

The Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS) has embraced technology to facilitate seamless tax payments, allowing taxpayers to remit their dues from anywhere in the world.

Acting Chairman of ODIRS, Mr. Adebayo Rojugbokan, made this known while hosting members of the Elizade University Tax Club at the agency’s headquarters in Akure.

Rojugbokan said: “Taxpayers can now make payments via the web, banks or directly from their mobile phones through a newly introduced USSD code, which simplifies the process and enhances accessibility.

“With this innovation, tax payments have become easier and more convenient. We have also set up a dedicated department to monitor and manage transactions efficiently.”

He emphasised the need to engage young people in tax awareness, stressing that their involvement is crucial to national development.

“If we desire meaningful progress in this country, we must invest in the youth. Educating them on taxation will enable them to enlighten the public on the significance of tax compliance and its role in societal growth,” Rojugbokan added.

Highlighting the agency’s alignment with the government’s policy initiative, OUR EASE, he noted that ODIRS is committed to making tax payment stress-free for residents.

In her remarks, the Staff Adviser of the Elizade University Tax Club, Mrs. Chiyenre Oloko, decried the high rate of tax evasion in the country, noting that it hampers development.

“Many Nigerians fail to pay their taxes, which affects infrastructural growth. If citizens comply, the government will have sufficient funds to improve amenities,” she said.

She cited bad roads and other decayed infrastructure as consequences of tax evasion, emphasising that a robust tax system is essential for sustainable development.

Similarly, the President of the Elizade University Tax Club, Adejumoke Adeleye, said the club’s outreach aims to enlighten the public on taxation, its benefits, and the penalties for non-compliance.

“We have been taking this message to markets, motor parks, and other public places. The response has been positive, as many now understand their tax obligations better,” she said.

Adeleye further noted that tax compliance is a collective responsibility, adding that the initiative aligns with the state’s development agenda.

Through this collaboration, ODIRS and the Elizade University Tax Club are fostering a culture of tax responsibility, ensuring increased contributions to Ondo State’s economic growth.