The President and Chairman of the Council of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Mr Samuel Agbeluyi, has emphasised the institute’s commitment to advancing tax administration and fostering regional development as the Gambia Revenue Authority participates in CITN training programmes for the fourth time.

The Gambia Revenue Authority Personnel international training on tax audit in the oil and gas industry is scheduled to be held from January 13 to 20, 2025, in Lagos.

“It is of great benefit to the Institute that we are being recognised beyond the shores of Nigeria, adding value to our brothers and sisters from the West African coast. This is how the Black race should go,” Agbeluyi stated during the programme’s opening in Lagos.

The training, primarily focused on oil and gas tax practices, has gained significant recognition among West African countries, with participants from the Gambia expressing satisfaction with the sessions.

According to Agbeluyi, the positive feedback from earlier batches has spurred continued interest and collaboration.

“Not only are they happy to come and take us as their trainer, but they are also spreading the word to other West African countries about what CITN in Nigeria is doing to enhance tax administration and practice,” he added.

Agbeluyi further emphasised the importance of regional collaboration, noting that as Nigeria trains others, it also learns and grows.

He reaffirmed CITN’s goal of positioning Nigeria as a leader in tariff law and tax reforms, not only in Africa but globally.

He commended the ongoing dialogue among stakeholders on Nigeria’s tax reform efforts, stressing the value of collective contributions to ensure sustainable progress.

“No document is perfect, but the fact that stakeholders are dialoguing is for the benefit of Nigeria,” he remarked.

He added that the CITN initiative underscores Nigeria’s pivotal role as a giant of Africa, sharing expertise to foster collective growth across the continent.

Also, the Deputy Commissioner of the Gambia Revenue Authority, Fafanding Cham, said the GRA delegation is undergoing specialised training on auditing the oil and gas sector at the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.

“We are here to build the capacities of our tax officials to audit oil companies and mobilise the much-needed revenue for our government. Domestic revenue mobilisation is a priority, and this training equips us with the necessary skills to scrutinise records and ensure compliance,” Cham said.

He noted this marks the second oil and gas-focused collaboration between the GRA and CITN, with the current training emphasising audit capabilities.

Cham highlighted Gambia’s proactive approach, stating, “Although we are yet to start oil production, there are strong indications it will happen soon. We don’t want to wait until that time to prepare. We are building capacity now.”

Cham expressed gratitude for Nigeria’s support, calling it a testament to the country’s leadership within Africa.

He said, “Nigeria, as a big brother, has shown unwavering generosity in helping smaller countries like Gambia develop their economies.

“The partnership underscores the shared vision of regional development within the ECOWAS framework.”