The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria has inaugurated its 17th president, Innocent Ohagwa.
Ohagwa was decorated with his insignia of office at the investiture that took place in Lagos on Saturday.
Ohagwa is a Chartered Accountant, Chartered Tax Professional, former banker, and Certified Information Systems Auditor with a 36-year career spanning expertise in finance, taxation, and information systems.
He spent 24 years at the Federal Inland Revenue Service rising to the position of Coordinating Director, General Services Group.
His expertise was nurtured in his early working years through stints at Akintola Williams & Co (now Deloitte), Century Merchant Bank Ltd, and Murtari Dangana & Co.
He takes over from Samuel Agbeluyi, the immediate past president of CITN.
In his acceptance speech, Ohagwa said, “I am greatly humbled and honoured today and forever, as we gather together to celebrate this momentous occasion of the investiture as the 17th President of our illustrious Institute. I express my profound appreciation to our revered past Presidents, Council members and Members for entrusting me with this important responsibility.
“It is a privilege to lead an organisation that has played a pivotal role in shaping the taxation landscape of Nigeria.”
He maintained that his time in office would be devoted to consolidating the successes achieved in the institute’s 2021–2027 Strategic Plan titled ‘Developing the Tax Profession’, while also preparing the grounds for the development of the next strategic plan for the years 2027 and beyond.
Present at the investiture were the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Opeyemi Ogungbo, the Chairman, Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, and former Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Prof. Muhammad Mainoma, who delivered the keynote address, among others.
Sanwo-Olu in his speech said, “As the president of the institute, his leadership will no doubt inspire confidence among stakeholders and catalyse reforms that would benefit Nigeria and its citizens.
“I also deeply appreciate the outgoing president, Samuel Agbeluyi, who served with distinction throughout his two-year tenure bringing a wealth of experience and strategic vision to the institute.”
The immediate past president, Agbeluyi, in his valedictory speech, hailed the values of the new president.
“I’m happy to be handing over to a man who offers service without expecting a reward, who has a lot a strength.
“The Institute is blessed to have a man to lead us in the next two years. We can only support him,” he said.
Mainoma, in his keynote address, highlighted that, “The future of taxation lies in collaboration between tax professionals, government agencies, technology providers and the public. Collaborative tax platforms, such as open APIs, allow integration of private systems with government portals, simplifying filing and reporting. Engagement with taxpayers through education, surveys and feedback loops enhances voluntary compliance and trust. Furthermore, collaboration between regulators and professionals leads to more practical, inclusive and adaptive tax policies.”
