The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has recorded significant revenue increases, collecting N22.59 trillion in taxes between January and September 2025, and achieving a record N47.39 trillion in the 12 months between October 2023 and September 2025, exceeding its targets by 115 per cent, FIRS Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, announced.
Speaking on the agency’s performance, Adedeji said 2025 has been a transformative year, with non-oil revenues accounting for 76 per cent of total collections, reflecting the success of diversification and reform initiatives.
“Non-oil taxes amounted to N17.3 trillion, representing 128 percent of the nine-month target and 76 percent of total collection, while oil tax revenues reached N5.29 trillion, 98 percent of the target,” he noted. Non-imported VAT exceeded targets by 137 percent, and imported VAT reached 131 percent.
Adedeji assured that the FIRS would continue to implement new tax laws fairly, improve the digitalization of tax processes, train and retrain staff and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders to meet and exceed government revenue expectations.
Highlighting the reforms under his leadership, Adedeji said the planned transformation of FIRS into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), effective January 1, 2026, will expand the mandate of the agency to include the collection of non-tax revenue from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The President emphasized several strategic initiatives that have modernized tax administration, including the National Single Window Project to streamline business and tax processes, and the e-invoicing system to improve transparency, accuracy and digital integration in tax collection.
“A highlight of 2025 was the passage of key tax reform laws aimed at streamlining compliance, closing administrative gaps and aligning Nigeria’s tax system with international best practices,” Adedeji said.
Regarding technology-driven initiatives, he highlighted the USSD Code *829# launched in October 2024, which allows taxpayers to access services that include retrieving Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), verifying tax clearance certificates, verifying tax types and rates, locating offices and making inquiries, directly through mobile phones.
Adedeji also outlined efforts to improve taxpayer education and compliance, including nationwide tax clinics targeting small businesses, startups and informal sector operators, providing guidance on filing and resolving disputes.
On the international front, FIRS boosted Nigeria’s global tax cooperation by concluding five mutual agreement processes with Belgium, France and the Netherlands, partnering with the Swedish Revenue Agency on tax administration training and negotiating or renegotiating treaties with countries such as Hong Kong, Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Morocco, India and Jersey.
“In 2025, FIRS continued its transformation into a modern, technology-driven and service-oriented institution, achieving important legislative, operational and technological milestones that position it for sustained growth and greater efficiency,” Adedeji said.
He reaffirmed the service’s commitment to simplify taxation, maximize revenue and support national development through transparency, innovation and collaboration with stakeholders.
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