Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacc Adedeji, has emphasized that cooperation and collaboration among key stakeholders, including taxpayers and subnational governments, are essential for the smooth implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws.
Adedeji noted that the FIRS, which is currently transitioning into the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), cannot on its own achieve the success envisioned with the reforms.
He therefore called on the private sector, institutions, and agencies across all levels of government to work collectively toward achieving the desired outcomes.
Similarly, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, highlighted that Nigeria’s economic outlook had improved compared to the pre-Tinubu administration period.
A statement by Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, said both leaders spoke on Monday in Abuja during a special engagement session organized for directors in the tax agency by the Committee at Abuja Continental Hotel.
Adedeji reaffirmed the readiness of the tax authority to serve as a partner in national development by ensuring fair, consistent, and transparent implementation of tax policies.
“Our collective posture should be one of readiness to listen, adapt and deliver.
A key pillar of the reforms is capacity building.
The demands of modern tax administration, from digitalisation to data-driven compliance, cross-border taxation, and specialised industries, require new skills and approaches.
“As directors, you will lead the charge in equipping our officers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to implement the law effectively while providing support to taxpayers,” he stated.
He assured that the agency would continue to invest “in training, technology, and systems that enhance efficiency, reduce compliance costs, and strengthen trust in the system.”
In his opening remarks, Oyedele noted that the Tinubu-led reforms had already delivered measurable results.
According to him, the nation’s balance of trade is now in surplus, reversing earlier deficits before May 2023.
He added that Nigeria is no longer printing money to finance obligations, has cleared unmet foreign exchange backlogs, and boosted external reserves to $23 billion in just two years.
He, however, stressed that while these macroeconomic gains are significant, more effort is needed to ensure they directly reduce poverty and create jobs for citizens.
Written by Sherifat Oyediran