Federal Government announces N10m Tax Reforms Challenge for students

*Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, discloses the Students’ Tax Reforms Challenge is a national competition aimed at promoting tax education while inspiring public dialogue among young Nigerians

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Nigeria’s Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has announced the Students’ Tax Reforms Challenge, a national competition aimed at engaging undergraduate students in Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education, serving Corps (NYSC) members, as well as students awaiting mobilisation for the National Service on the West African country’s new tax reforms laws.

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, disclosed this in a blog note via his verified social media account.

Oyedele explained the Students’ Tax Reforms Challenge covers only undergraduates’ articles (print or online), videos, podcasts, Radio features and social media posts published between July 1 and December 31, 2025, are eligible for the competition.

Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to participate and everything to know about the initiative.

Purpose of the challenge

The competition is designed to raise awareness and deepen understanding of Nigeria’s ongoing tax reforms.

The Tax Reforms Committee, the competition aims to promote tax education and inspire public dialogue among young Nigerians.

Encourage balanced, fact-based analysis of tax issues.

Build a network of youth ambassadors for constructive public engagement.

Reinforce the social contract by promoting civic duty and government accountability.

Who can apply (Eligibility)

The challenge is open to

Undergraduate students in Nigerian tertiary institutions — Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education.

Graduates currently serving in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), or awaiting mobilisation.

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According to the Committee, applicants may enter individually or through student associations such as tax clubs, economics, accounting, or journalism societies.

What to submit

Prospective participants are required to create an original published work on Nigeria’s four new tax reforms laws.

Entries may be produced in English, Pidgin, Hausa, Igbo, or Yoruba, but those submitted in local languages must include English translations.

For audio and video entries, submissions must not exceed 10 minutes.

Entry publication period

The Tax Reforms Committee noted that only works published between July 1 and December 31, 2025, will be eligible for the Students’ Tax Reform Challenge.

What makes a strong entry?

The Committee has emphasised that published entries must be:

Educative, engaging, and fact-based.

Objective and balanced, avoiding propaganda.

Technically correct, explaining tax concepts accurately.

Accessible to the public, using simple, clear language.

Impactful, generating engagement through views, shares, or discussion.

Oyedele also noted that entries that are critical of the Nigerian Government’s tax reforms laws are also welcome, provided they are “factually grounded and constructive.”

How the competition works

The contest will unfold in three stages:

Stage 1 – Screening:

All eligible applicants will take an online assessment on basic tax reform principles.

The two top-performing students (male and female) from each institution will advance.

Stage 2 – Zonal Competitions:

Qualified candidates will make presentations before a panel of academics, journalists, tax officials, and professionals.

One male and one female winner will emerge from each geopolitical zone.

Stage 3 – National Finals:

Zonal winners will compete in a televised and digitally streamed national event.

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A panel of judges will assess their presentations and select the overall winners.

Prizes and recognitions

The three top winners in the Students’ Tax Reform Challenge will receive cash prizes of:

1. ₦5 million – First prize
2. ₦3 million – Second prize
3. ₦2 million – Third prize

Other finalists will receive gadgets, scholarships, internships, or employment opportunities, according to the Committee.

Besides, each finalist’s student club or association will receive a ₦2 million grant to host a tax education event within their institution.

All finalists will also be honoured as Tax Reforms Youth Ambassadors, with opportunities to participate in national policy events.

How to apply

Applications will open by the end of December 2025 via the official portal at: fiscalreforms.ng.

To enter, students are expected to:

Publish their article, video, or podcast within the eligible period.

Ensure the work is educative, factual, and properly referenced.

Prepare an English translation if the content is in a local language.

Register and complete the online assessment when the portal opens.

Upload details of their published work (including links or evidence of engagement).

Follow updates in the media

Participants are encouraged to follow updates and announcements on social media, using the hashtag #NGTaxReformChallenge.

The Committee said the competition would not only reward creativity but also strengthen the culture of tax awareness among young Nigerians.

The Tax Reforms Committee added: “All finalists will be named Tax Reforms Youth Ambassadors, and will have the opportunity to participate in national events.”

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