A Review of Effective Tax Regime in Nigeria, a book written by former AIG Tunde Ogunsakin, was launched October 14 at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, an occasion former President Olusegun Obasanjo chaired.The book launcher, Aigboje Aig Imoukhuede, was lavish in his praise of the book, drawing from his working relationship with the author on the Subsidy Review Committee former President Goodluck Jonathan set up in 2012.
Going back to tax history which began from Egypt, Africa, spreading to Greece, Rome, and
on and on, the launcher said the author went out of hic comfort zime to write a book which can transform Nigeria’s tax system.
“It’s a book that must be deeply appreciated by every Nigerian,” the chief launcher said,
Nigeria’s tax revenue currently stands at 6 percent of the GDP, one of the lowest in the world, up from 5 percent to which Obasanjo upped it when he was in government.
The six-part book begins with a general introduction, followed by the chapter in tax and polcy, then law enforcement, which Imoukhuede said Ogunsakin wrote excellently.
“He even named names of those who failed to pay taxes and the authorities who would not enforce the law, ironing out the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion,” he said.
At the launch were Obasanjo, NDDC chair, Ndoma Egba, former Gov. Donald Duke, Gov. Akinwumi Ambode, represented by Lagos tax boss Ayo Subair, former CBN Dep. Gov. Tunde Lemo, PDP’s Publicity Secretary Dayo Adeyeye, and other dignitaries.
All agreed Ogunsakin is one of the finest skulls Nigeria is under-utilising.
The chief launcher proceeded to launch the book with N5 million, followed by Egba’s N1.5 million, and others who would not announce the exact figure.
They, however, believe Ogunsakin is a “fine super cop” whose contribution to tax reform cannot be appreciated enough.