FIRS taps EFCC to enforce tax compliance, aiming to boost public trust and revenue collection through joint strategy and legal oversight

FIRS taps EFCC to strengthen Nigeria’s tax compliance system, as both agencies commit to deeper collaboration to boost public trust and revenue enforcement.

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On Tuesday, FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, paid a strategic visit to the Corporate Headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja, where he underscored the EFCC’s critical role in enforcing Nigeria’s newly evolving tax architecture.

“We cannot pursue 200 million Nigerians individually to do the right thing,” Adedeji said, “but with the EFCC’s help, we can build a system that ensures compliance.”

The partnership comes ahead of the January 2026 enforcement of new tax legislation, which officially transitions the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) under sweeping fiscal reforms.

Dr. Adedeji explained that the new strategy focuses not just on arrests or penalties, but on building public trust by showing how tax revenues translate into visible national development.

“Voluntary compliance increases when people see real results.

The EFCC’s support, particularly in helping our Fraud Risk and Control Department, is vital to ensuring value for money,” he added.

President Tinubu recently announced that Nigeria had met its 2025 revenue target by August, with over ₦20 trillion collected—a majority from non-oil sources. Adedeji credited this milestone to the proactive partnerships FIRS has formed with enforcement agencies like the EFCC.

In response, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting FIRS through investigations and legal enforcement. He noted that a recent Court of Appeal ruling upheld EFCC’s authority to investigate tax-related fraud.

“We are not tax assessors,” Olukoyede clarified. “But we can investigate non-compliance and refer assessment matters back to FIRS.”

He added that the visible collaboration between EFCC and FIRS would send a strong message to tax evaders: “It is no longer business as usual.”

The heads of both agencies agreed on the urgent need to institutionalize preventive measures rather than rely solely on punitive actions. They emphasized the role of inter-agency synergy in building a stable revenue ecosystem.

“This is not just FIRS’ victory; it’s a collective national effort,” Adedeji stated.

The EFCC-FIRS alliance is expected to form a cornerstone of Nigeria’s evolving fiscal architecture, especially as the government pivots away from oil dependency and strengthens non-oil revenue sources.

As FIRS taps EFCC for tax enforcement, the broader goal remains clear: create a trusted, transparent, and accountable tax system that supports sustainable national growth.

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With enhanced legal backing, tech-driven reforms, and inter-agency synergy, Nigeria is positioning itself to redefine voluntary compliance and deter financial misconduct in a digital economy.