In March, the Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD) convened the maiden edition of Civic Talks, a citizen-centred dialogue focused on “Tax Reform and the Nigerian Citizen: Understanding Responsibility, Equity and National Development.”
The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, tax experts, civil society actors, business owners, artisans, and everyday citizens.
Designed as an interactive town hall, Civic Talks prioritised:
- Plain-language discussions of complex policy issues
- Open dialogue through audience participation and Q&A
- Real-life experiences from citizens alongside expert insights
The session also featured a mix of onsite and online participation, ensuring broader accessibility and engagement.
Why We Did It
Recent conversations about Nigeria’s tax reforms have generated significant public interest, along with confusion and misinformation.
CISD recognised a clear gap:
- Policy discussions are often technical and inaccessible
- Citizens are affected by these policies, but are rarely included in the conversation
- Trust in public systems remains low, particularly around taxation and accountability
Civic Talks was created to bridge this gap by providing a neutral, evidence-based platform where citizens can:
- Understand policy in simple terms
- Ask informed questions
- Engage directly with experts and stakeholders
Ultimately, the goal was to reframe taxation as a shared civic issue tied to governance, accountability, and national development.
What We Achieved
Civic Talks created a space for honest, meaningful engagement between citizens and policy actors.
Key outcomes include:
- Active citizen participation, with attendees openly sharing lived experiences and concerns around taxation
- Improved understanding of tax reforms through simplified explanations and real-world examples
- Insightful dialogue on critical themes such as trust, fairness, compliance, and accountability
- Stronger connection between policy and people, reinforcing the importance of inclusive governance
The conversation highlighted a recurring theme:
While citizens recognise the importance of taxation, trust, transparency, and visible results remain central to improving compliance and engagement.
Looking Ahead
Civic Talks will continue as a quarterly platform, deepening public understanding of key governance issues and strengthening citizen voice in national conversations.
At CISD, we remain committed to creating spaces where policy meets people, and where informed citizens can actively shape the future of governance in Nigeria.
The Centre for Inclusive Social Development (CISD) is a non-profit research and advocacy organisation working to advance inclusive governance, gender and social equity, civic technology, and sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. Through rigorous research, coalition-building, and public-interest storytelling, CISD amplifies the voices of marginalised communities and holds power accountable.
Learn more at cisdnigeria.org or follow us on social media.
How to cite this article
CISD. (2026, March 31). Civic Talks: Bridging Policy and Public Understanding. CISD Insights. Centre for Inclusive Social Development. Retrieved from https://cisdnigeria.org/article/civic-talks-bridging-policy-and-public-understanding/.
