The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced stronger collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to drive voluntary tax compliance and secure Nigeria’s revenue base.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, made this known during a visit to EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. He stressed that the newly signed Tax Acts—scheduled to take effect from January 2026—would usher in a new phase by transforming FIRS into the Nigerian Revenue Service.
Adedeji explained that Nigeria’s population of over 200 million could not be monitored individually, hence the need for systems that encourage compliance. “You can help us by letting people know that when they violate the law, there is a place you can keep them. On behalf of the President and Nigerians, we thank you for your support and seek even deeper cooperation,” he told EFCC officials.
The tax boss argued that visible use of collected revenue was the strongest incentive for taxpayers. He added that collaboration with EFCC was instrumental in fraud risk management and ensuring accountability.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier revealed that the government surpassed its revenue target by August 2025, with about N20 trillion collected, majorly from non-oil resources.
EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, reassured FIRS of continuous partnership. “When they see EFCC beside FIRS, that will send a signal to the public that it is no longer business as usual,” Olukoyede noted. He referenced a recent Court of Appeal ruling affirming EFCC’s powers to investigate tax fraud as a milestone.
“We are not assessors of tax liabilities, but we can investigate non-compliance and push assessment issues back to you. Our duty remains the prevention, investigation and prosecution of financial crimes. Synergy is therefore essential,” he added.
The two leaders pledged to consolidate efforts, boosting preventive measures and reinforcing trust in Nigeria’s tax administration system.
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