Nigeria banks on digital transformation for efficient tax system

By : Joesph Chibueze

Date: 10 December 2025 7:58pm WAT

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Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS)

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has said it is banking on digital transformation for an efficient tax administration as it prepares to transition to the Nigerian Revenue Service by January 2026.

Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on areas of mutual interest and promotion of efficient tax administration between FIRS and Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFP), the French tax agency, said digital transformation is one critical area where Nigeria can leverage France’s advanced use of technology in compliance management, taxpayer services, and data-driven enforcement.

He said the event reflects a shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient, and more forward-looking tax administrations for the two countries. According to him, “France will in return gain fresh perspectives from Nigeria’s rapid digital expansion, our agile adoption of new tools, and the unique solutions we are developing for a fast-growing, technology-driven population.” He noted that the two-way exchange is essential as both countries adapt to emerging challenges such as Artificial Intelligence deployment, cybersecurity, and cross-border taxation. Revealing that Nigeria will deliberately engage more with similar global partners, he said the partnership between France and Nigeria will enable the tax institutions to exchange ideas, share innovations, and learn from each other’s experiences.

“Another important aspect is workforce development. While we look forward to learning from France’s well-structured human capital systems, particularly in professional standards, continuous learning, and organisational discipline, we also believe that our experience in managing a young, dynamic and diverse workforce will offer valuable insights to DGFIP. “Together, we can develop models that strengthen institutional culture, build global competencies, and prepare our respective institutions for the future of public finance administration. “We also anticipate strong bilateral cooperation in international taxation, exchange of information, transfer pricing, and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS)-related work.”

Adedeji said as economic activities become increasingly borderless, the ability of both institutions to collaborate, share intelligence, and harmonise approaches will be crucial. “This MoU provides exactly the platform we need to deepen that cooperation,” he said, adding, “As Nigeria moves into the era of the Nigerian Revenue Service, we see this partnership as a cornerstone of our transformation, one that will help us build a revenue administration that is modern, trusted, innovative, and globally connected.” The French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, who signed on behalf of DGFP, emphasised the importance of collaboration between the two countries.

Nigeria will begin the implementation of a new tax regime with effect from 2026 following the signing of four new tax laws by the President. The new laws include the Nigeria Tax Act 2025 (NTA), the Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2025 (NTAA), the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2025 (NRSA), and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act 2025 (JRBA).

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