The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have agreed to strengthen their partnership in order to improve tax compliance and protect Nigeria’s revenue base.
During a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, underscored the importance of inter-agency cooperation in stabilising the country’s finances and building public confidence in the tax system.
“We cannot pursue 200 million Nigerians individually to do the right thing, but we want to put a system in place that will aid compliance,” Adedeji stated.
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“You can help us by letting people know that when they violate the law, there is a place you can keep them. On behalf of the President and Nigerians, we thank you for your support and seek even deeper cooperation.”
Adedeji further stressed that compliance could only be achieved when taxpayers saw clear evidence of how their money was being spent.
“The main advertisement of voluntary compliance is when people begin to see what we use the money we collect for. In achieving that goal, you are critical, not just in arresting defaulters but in supporting our Department of Fraud Risk, Assessment and Control to ensure value for money.”
He attributed Nigeria’s recent success in meeting its revenue targets to preventive strategies and collaboration with institutions like the EFCC, describing the outcome as “a collective effort, not one by FIRS alone.”
In his response, EFCC Chairman, Mr Ola Olukoyede, pledged the Commission’s continued support, assuring that the EFCC would remain a strong ally in driving compliance and accountability.
