By John Umeh
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has unveiled a new level of collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of its strategy to boost voluntary tax compliance, curb evasion, and secure government revenue.
During a courtesy visit to the EFCC corporate headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, and EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, renewed their joint commitment to build stronger enforcement mechanisms that would ensure individuals and corporations pay their fair share of taxes.
The partnership comes ahead of the newly signed Tax Acts, which will officially take effect in January 2026, transforming the FIRS into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS). This reform is expected to streamline tax administration and improve efficiency in revenue collection across the federation.
A Partnership for Stronger Enforcement
Dr. Adedeji described the EFCC as “a critical partner” in Nigeria’s revenue drive, stressing that no agency could achieve sustainable compliance alone. He pointed out that with over 200 million Nigerians, it would be impossible for FIRS to chase after every taxpayer individually. Instead, a coordinated system backed by enforcement agencies was the only way forward.
“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 said. “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.”
He further explained that true compliance would be achieved only when Nigerians begin to see how their taxes are utilized. “The main advertisement of voluntary compliance is when people see what the money collected is used for. In achieving that goal, the EFCC is critical—not just in arresting defaulters, but also in supporting our Department of Fraud Risk, Assessment and Control to ensure value for money.”
The Role of the EFCC
In response, EFCC Chairman Olukoyede pledged full support for the FIRS initiative, assuring that the anti-graft agency would use its mandate to strengthen tax compliance. He emphasized that collaboration between both agencies sends a strong signal to Nigerians that financial crimes—especially tax fraud—will no longer be tolerated.
“Collaboration is key. When they see EFCC beside FIRS, that will send a signal to the public that it is no longer business as usual,” Olukoyede said.
He highlighted a recent Court of Appeal judgment affirming EFCC’s authority to investigate tax fraud as a major boost to their work. “We are not assessors of tax liabilities, but we can investigate non-compliance and push assessment issues back to FIRS. Our duty remains the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of financial crimes. Synergy is therefore essential.”
Meeting Revenue Targets and Looking Ahead
The partnership comes at a time when the Federal Government has reported a major breakthrough in its revenue generation efforts. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced last week that the country had already met its 2025 revenue target by August, with collections reaching about ₦20 trillion. Notably, the bulk of this revenue came from non-oil sources, underscoring the growing importance of taxation in Nigeria’s economy.
Dr. Adedeji attributed this achievement to preventive measures and inter-agency collaboration, saying: “The success recorded this year is a collective effort, not the work of FIRS alone. Without support from agencies like the EFCC, our results would not have been as significant.”
Looking ahead to 2026, the implementation of the Tax Acts and the transition to the Nigerian Revenue Service is expected to mark a turning point in Nigeria’s fiscal policy. The reforms aim to simplify tax processes, expand the tax net, and eliminate loopholes often exploited by evaders.
For many observers, the EFCC–FIRS alliance represents a renewed determination by the government to safeguard public funds, build trust in the tax system, and ensure that every naira due to the state is properly accounted for.
A System for Accountability
At the heart of the new collaboration is a shared vision of accountability. Both agencies stressed that enforcement is not merely about punishment but also about ensuring that Nigerians can trust government institutions to use tax revenue responsibly.
Civil society organizations and business groups are watching closely, with many hoping that the partnership will address long-standing issues of weak compliance, corruption, and lack of transparency in the system.
As Nigeria prepares to roll out its 2026 tax reforms, the FIRS–EFCC alliance is being positioned as a cornerstone of the country’s economic sustainability. For taxpayers, the message is clear: voluntary compliance is no longer optional, and evasion will come with real consequences.
