The recent meeting between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and security agencies in Nigeria has highlighted the critical importance of strategic collaboration to strengthen tax collection and enforcement.
At the meeting, held in Abuja on Friday, December 13, key FIRS officials reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with security forces to achieve the organization’s ambitious tax objectives.
Gregory Wilfred Asuquo, Director, Security, Safety and Fleet Management at FIRS, highlighted the critical role of security agencies in achieving the organization’s tax objectives. He stressed the need to bring together various stakeholders to work together, noting that tax has become a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy and requires a unified approach.
Collaboration, intelligence sharing and continued engagement were identified as key strategies to strengthen tax compliance. The focus is on data collection, information sharing and enforcement to reduce non-compliance. The strategic pillars of the FIRS are based on the use of technology and human expertise to promote compliance.
Garba Muazu, Acting Director, Tax Investigation and Enforcement Department, highlighted the legal framework underpinning the FIRS’ collaborative efforts. He highlighted the FIRS’ ambitious revenue target for 2025, set at a record N47 trillion, a significant increase from the current target of N19.4 trillion.
The focus on reducing tax evasion through advanced technology solutions was also highlighted. The transition to self-assessment and better engagement with taxpayers to sensitize them on their obligations were highlighted as critical tools to effectively combat tax evasion.
As the Nigerian economy faces increasing fiscal demands, the increased collaboration between the FIRS and security agencies is expected to play a critical role in achieving the country’s revenue targets. The visionary leadership and innovative strategies of the FIRS promise a stronger fiscal future for Nigeria.