The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) says women’s participation and influence in tax decisions remain critical to helping women-owned businesses formalise, grow and thrive.

Angel Pariola-Fadahunsi, NRS chairperson, Gender Equality Committee, stated this while speaking at the Society for Women in Taxation (SWIT), FCT-Abuja Chapter, “HERizon” 2026 Anniversary.

The fifth SWIT conference was with the theme “From Compliance to Influence: Women as Tax Catalysts for Sustainable Development”.

It was the maiden edition for the FCT-Abuja chapter and the 12th anniversary for the SWIT association.

Ms Pariola-Fadahunsi, also the group director of human capital management at NRS, said women occupy diverse roles beyond mothers and wives.

According to her, women are not just taxpayers and professionals.

“We are mothers, wives, business owners, employers, employees, innovators, community leaders and decision makers, and we must influence decisions that shape our spaces.

“A tax system that is simple, fair, accessible and responsive will help women-owned enterprises formalise, grow and thrive, while also supporting the development of our nation and economy.

“When women move from compliance to influence, it will help us build stronger institutions, more resilient businesses and a more sustainable future for Nigeria,” she said.

Ms Pariola-Fadahunsi said the conference was timely, especially with expectations surrounding forthcoming plans and reforms, adding that women need opportunities to contribute meaningfully to decisions shaping professional, economic and business spaces.

She said discussions on presumptive taxation, support for small businesses, leadership development and digital compliance were critical to creating an enabling environment where women-led enterprises could formalise, grow and thrive.

Ms Pariola-Fadahunsi urged SWIT to keep removing barriers to compliance and expanding the tax base and business opportunities, while ensuring women exercise meaningful influence across the spheres where they operate in Nigeria.

Caroline Ndubuisi, SWIT sixth national chairperson and chief host, said the programme was an opportunity to discuss enabling environments for small businesses and the next generation of women.

Ms Ndubuisi said the conference was important for women to navigate digital tax compliance and emerging business opportunities, noting the need to prepare women for changing professional environments.

According to her, women should recognise their capacity to influence communities and institutions, particularly through professional knowledge, leadership and active participation in revenue mobilisation and national development.

“The theme speaks to creating an enabling environment for SMEs and the next generation of women, while preparing them for digital tax compliance and the future of business.

“Participants here should absorb the knowledge shared, network effectively and recognise that their voices belong in rooms where important decisions affecting taxation, businesses and society are made.

“To every woman in this room, you are all catalysts; we do not just collect or mobilise revenue, we build nations and communities,” she said.

Ms Ndubuisi encouraged women to use their professional positions to strengthen communities, influence decisions and contribute to sustainable development through responsible participation in taxation and business.

Victoria Nkwoma-Udo, SWIT fifth coordinator and host for FCT-Abuja chapter, said the name HERizon deliberately placed “HER” at the centre of the horizon, reflecting the platform’s purpose of expanding women’s vision, capacity and influence within the tax ecosystem.

Ms Nkwoma-Udo urged women to move beyond compliance and participate actively in policy, legislation and revenue conversations shaping national development.

She said the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 and broader fiscal reforms had redrawn the tax landscape, including simplified and presumptive regimes for small businesses where women constitute a significant proportion of operators.

“Digital administration and technology-driven compliance are also changing how revenue is assessed, collected and accounted for, requiring women to develop relevant knowledge and participate in implementation.

“HERizon places HER at the centre of the horizon because this platform exists to expand the vision, capacity and influence of every woman in the tax ecosystem.

“Compliance is honourable, but it is not the ceiling; the next frontier is influence, sitting at tables where tax policy is designed and shaping revenue conversations,” she said.

Petu Joyce, chairman of the SWIT Local Organising Committee, said the organisation would continue creating platforms to celebrate impact, inspire services and strengthen togetherness.

Ms Joyce said the conference was an avenue for members to connect, share professional experiences and deepen relationships, while reinforcing the association’s commitment to women’s development within taxation.

“We will continue to create platforms that celebrate impact, inspire service and strengthen togetherness within the association.

“HERizon gives us an opportunity to connect, learn from one another and strengthen the relationships needed to advance women’s professional growth and collective influence,” she said.

Emmanuel Salako, chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), congratulated SWIT FCT-Abuja chapter for organising what he described as a well-packaged programme.

Mr Salako said the partnership between ICAN and SWIT remained strong, noting that many ICAN members are also members of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

He encouraged participants to engage effectively in the programme, stressing that professional collaboration remains important to strengthening women’s influence across taxation and related areas.

He also assured SWIT members that ICAN remained available to provide support whenever required, particularly in areas that could strengthen professional development and cooperation.

Georgina Ehuriah-Arisa, first female permanent secretary in the Cabinet Affairs Office, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, urged women to build capacity.

Ms Ehuriah-Arisa said building capacity would enable them to earn the right to contribute to taxation decisions for the benefit of other women.

(NAN)