SWIT Kwara Empowers Students with Tax Knowledge Through Debate Competition

The Society of Women in Taxation (SWIT), Kwara Chapter, on Wednesday organized a debate on tax knowledge and compliance for some selected secondary schools in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the debate is the North Central edition of the National Debate Competition, which had six public secondary schools in attendance.

The 2025 theme, which served as the topic for the debate was: Increase in Value Added Tax Rate is beneficial to the Economy”.

Mrs Oluwakemi Obakemi, SWIT State Coordinator, at the competition which took place at a hall in Ilorin, said the debate was meant to promote tax awareness.

Obakemi also said the competition would promote financial literacy among the students amidst the policies proposed by the Tax Reforms Committee.

“it becomes imperative to add our thoughts to the ongoing deliberations on the propsed increament of the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5 per cent to 10 per cent, through the students, due to public outcry.

”As we all know, taxation has become one of the foremost professions in the country to be reckoned with, considering the fact that President Bola Tinubu set up a Tax Reform Committee since assumption of office.

”Part of what the committee is proposing is increment of VAT, which we know, has to be discussed because a lot of people feel that this will be a problem.

”That is why we felt the need to bring the students in, for them to bring out their thoughts and at the same time educate the public on the pros and cons.

”We will then bring their thoughts together and submit it to the committee before their final conclusion,” Obakemi said.

Also, the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Prof. Khadijat Yahaya, said the event served as a vital plafltform for young minds to engage in critical discussions about taxation, economic growth and national development.

Yahaya said encouraging young scholars to explore and debate such topics was essential in nurturing future leaders and financial experts, who would shape the economic trajectory of the nation.

According to her, the theme is both relevant and thought-provoking because taxation plays a crucial role in driving government revenue, funding public services and fostering economic stability.

Similarly, Hajia Saadat Modibbo-Kawu, Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, said the programme was in line with the present administration’s vision for girls and women in the state.

Modibbo-Kawu, represented by Mr Taye Adedeji, said the government was sensitive to issues of girls and would continue to support the organisation to drive the economy of the state.

Meanwhile, Dr Abdulhakeem Shuaib, Chairman, Chartered Institue of Taxation in Nigeria (CITN), Ilorin, and District Society, commended SWIT “for catching them young and instilling financial discipline at a young age”.

NAN reports that Government Girls Day Secondary School, Oke Sunnah, came first with 64.5 points, Queen Elizabeth Secondary School placed 2nd with 59.0 points while Cherubim and Seraphim College came third with 57.7 points.

Memunat Abdulganiyu of Government Girls Day Secondary School, Oke Sunnah, and Hamdalat Agboola of Queens Elizabeth Secondary School would represent the North Central Zone in the Grand Finale on Feb. 20. (NAN)