FIRS-DGFIP MOU won’t compromise Nigeria Tax data sovereignty – FIRS

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) is a strictly technical assistance and capacity-building framework.

The clarification comes after talks of concerns that the MOU  is a means for foreign interests to gain control over Nigeria’s sovereign tax data.

On Thursday, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) signed an MoU with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP).

Read also: NRS and JRB replace FIRS and JTB in shift toward modern revenue management

“ At no point does it grant France access to Nigerian tax data, digital infrastructure, or operational control of our systems. All Nigerian laws regarding data protection, sovereignty, and cybersecurity remain fully in force, and the MoU includes robust confidentiality and data protection provisions,” Umar Ahmed, director, Intergovernmental Affairs, Federal Inland Revenue Service, said in a recent release.

The DGFiP is one of the world’s most sophisticated tax administrations, with over 100 years of institutional experience, a workforce exceeding 90,000 professionals, and globally recognised expertise in digital tax systems, institutional governance, taxpayer services, and public finance management.

Ahmed said that the partnership is advisory, non-intrusive, and mutually beneficial, designed to strengthen FIRS’ institutional capacity as it transitions into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS).

“ The collaboration provides Nigeria with a unique opportunity to learn from international best practices in workforce management, digital transformation, tax policy development, and regional cooperation, while ensuring that Nigeria retains full control over its tax administration and data,” he said.

Ahmed said that local technology providers are not being sidelined; FIRS continues to engage and collaborate with Nigerian innovators, including NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave.

“The MoU is not intended to deliver technical services, but rather to provide capacity-building, advisory support, and knowledge sharing based on DGFiP’s extensive institutional experience. The collaboration focuses on institutional strengthening, workforce development, digital transformation guidance, taxpayer education, policy modernisation, and regional integration—all fully aligned with Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interests,” he said.

Read also: E-invoicing: Is FIRS really taking tax real-time monitoring to next level?

The director said that the service is far from compromising national control. This agreement represents a strategic initiative to modernise Nigeria’s tax administration, enhance institutional capacity, and strengthen the country’s long-term economic resilience.

“Nigeria remains fully in command of its tax systems, data, and policy direction. FIRS remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration in the pursuit of national development,” Ahmed said.

Eniola Olatunji is an experienced journalist at BusinessDay, where she has specialized in reporting on personal and business finance since March 2022.

She focuses on creating engaging and precise news stories, with a keen emphasis on the fixed-income market, banking, personal finance, cost of living, and the Nigerian economy. Her work also encompasses extensive market research and economic trend analysis.

Eniola is passionate about empowering individuals to make informed financial decisions and is dedicated to shedding light on the intricate workings of the economy. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pure & Applied Chemistry from the University of Lagos.

Eniola Olatunji was shortlisted for The Future Awards Africa Prize for Journalism..

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