The Executive Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, FCTI, has charged Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Akwa Ibom State to see themselves as critical players and strategic partners in the taxation ecosystem and in driving awareness of the new tax reforms.
He gave the charge while delivering a keynote address at the 2026 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) seminar organized by the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Akwa Ibom State Branch, held Thursday, August 14, 2026 at the E-Library Complex, IBB Way, Uyo
The seminar, themed “Estate Surveying and Valuation Practice in the Era of Tax Reforms and Fiscal Transparency in Nigeria,” was attended by over 200 members of NIESV, including practitioners, academics, students and other stakeholders. A renowned Estate Surveyor and administrator, ESV Sunny Udom, FNIESV, chaired the occasion.
Sir Okon, a Council Member and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), noted that taxation and estate surveying and valuation intersect in several areas, including revenue administration, tax compliance and revenue assurance, taxpayer services, tax education and fiscal governance.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to share ideas, deepen their knowledge and strengthen professional relationships to enhance compliance and promote a more efficient taxation system.
Sir Okon, who is also a member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, said the new tax reforms and harmonisation of state taxes and levies were designed primarily to reduce the tax burden on Nigerians and strengthen the tax ecosystem for greater efficiency.
He identified the key impacts of the reforms as the harmonisation of taxes and tax administration; promotion of equity, fairness and ease of doing business; sustainable revenue mobilisation; technology- and data-driven tax administration; promotion of transparency, accountability and trust; strengthening of fiscal governance; elimination of multiple taxation and nuisance taxes; and promotion of economic growth.
“There is therefore no need for anxiety. The whole idea was to fine-tune our pre-colonial, archaic and obsolete tax laws to reflect current and evolving realities as they relate to taxation,” he emphasized.
The AKIRS Chairman urged members of NIESV, under the leadership of ESV Kufre Ufot, to collaborate and cooperate with the State Internal Revenue Service in the new tax dispensation.
He also commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for giving taxpayers sufficient reasons to comply with their tax obligations through the visible and rapid development of the state across critical sectors.
A paper was also presented by a Professor of Estate Surveying, Prof. Olurotimi Kemiki, of the Federal University of Technology, Minna. The don urged practitioners to always be detailed and professional in the presentation of facts to protect the dignity and integrity of the profession.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Uyo Branch of NIESV, ESV Kufre Ufot, FNIV, noted that the professional development exercise, organised with the approval of the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board of Nigeria, was a routine programme of the institution aimed at strengthening professional bonds, reviewing emerging trends, keeping members abreast of current needs and expectations, and honing their skills in line with global best practices.
Ufot lauded the AKIRS Chairman for what he described as “trailblazing momentum and sustainable high-level performance in IGR in Akwa Ibom State,” while seeking further collaboration between NIESV and the Revenue House to facilitate knowledge transfer and professional engagement.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the National President of NIESV, ESV (Mallam) Bature Muhammed, represented by the Uyo Branch Chairman of NIESV, ESV Nametu Ndidi, and the Cross River State Branch Chairman, ESV Samuel Bassey, FNIES, represented by ESV James Effiong.
Also present were members of the AKIRS management; Prof. Francis Udoudo, Professor of Estate Surveying; former Commissioner for Lands and former Chairman of the Uyo Branch, His Lordship, ESV U. U. Etetim; and former Chairman of the Uyo Branch of NIESV, ESV Chief John Isangedighi, among others.
The high point of the event was the presentation of certificates of special recognition for outstanding service to Sir Okon Okon and Prof. Olurotimi Kemiki, as well as certificates of participation to members of NIESV.
