The Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJGP), Plateau State Chapter, in partnership with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) and Christian Aid, convened a strategic two-day training aimed at equipping members with practical tools to drive advocacy and promote transparency in public finance.
The workshop, held at Lamonde Hotel in Jos the Plateau State Capital, focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of tax systems, budget literacy, and the principles guiding equitable taxation. Organisers described the training as a critical step toward the formal inauguration and rollout of the Plateau chapter of the platform.
Asaolu Dolapo Dorcas, Gender Officer at CISLAC, said the workshop was designed as a build-up to strengthen members’ capacity ahead of the platform’s full unveiling. She noted that empowering participants with the right knowledge would enable them to effectively carry out advocacy and community-based engagements.
“The goal is to ensure our members are well-prepared to drive advocacy efforts and other activities smoothly,” she said.
On his part, Albert Pam, Plateau State Coordinator of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform, emphasised that the initiative would create opportunities for citizens to better understand governance processes and actively connect with government institutions.
He explained that the training would help participants grasp tax laws, improve budget tracking skills, and build confidence in demanding accountability.
“The emergence of this platform opens space for citizens to be educated and engaged. It strengthens their ability to understand taxation and participate meaningfully in governance,” Pam stated.
Sessions on the first day centred on tools for citizen engagement and government accountability, while the second day focused on strengthening the platform’s structure and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Simon Olatunde, Coordinator of the Kaduna State Tax Justice and Governance Platform, said the broader vision of the training was to establish a functional and active platform in Plateau that promotes fairness, inclusion, and progressive development.
“We want to see a platform that delivers equity, fairness and drives collective development in Plateau State,” he said.
Participants described the workshop as impactful and cost-effective, noting that the knowledge gained far outweighed the minimal logistics required to attend. They said the training provided practical insights that would immediately improve their advocacy work at the grassroots level.
As the workshop concluded, participants expressed optimism that the strengthened network and newly acquired skills would translate into more effective civic engagement, fostering transparency and inclusive development across Plateau State.