FIRS synergises with security agencies to boost tax revenue

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering strategic collaborations with security agencies to enhance tax collection and enforcement.

This was disclosed on Friday, December 13, during a security briefing and meeting between top FIRS officials and law enforcement agencies in Abuja.

Mr. Gregory Wilfred Asuquo, Director of Security, Safety, and Fleet Management at FIRS, highlighted the critical role of security agencies in achieving the organisation’s ambitious tax targets.

“One thing we’ve come to understand is that we cannot do it alone. We need stakeholders across the board to work together with us. Tax has become a major pillar of Nigeria’s economy, and achieving our mandate requires a unified approach,” he told Pulse Nigeria.

Asuquo identified intelligence sharing and continuous engagement as core strategies for enhancing tax compliance.

“We’re focusing on data collation, information sharing, and enforcement to reduce non-compliance. FIRS’ strategic pillars hinge on leveraging technology and people to drive compliance,” he added.

Garba Muazu, Acting Director of the Tax Investigation and Enforcement Department, emphasised the legal framework underpinning FIRS’ collaborative efforts.

“The FIRS Establishment Act mandates collaboration with law enforcement agencies for information exchange and resource mobilisation. No nation progresses without such partnerships,” he explained.

Muazu further revealed FIRS’ ambitious revenue target for 2025, which is pegged at a record ₦47 trillion. This is a significant increase from the current year’s ₦19.4 trillion target.

“The 2025 budget relies heavily on FIRS to generate revenue to fund the three tiers of government. Under the leadership of our Executive Chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji, we aim to minimise deficit financing through robust tax collection,” he stated.

The security parley also underscored the importance of reducing tax evasion through advanced technological solutions.

“We’re evolving towards self-assessment, where taxpayers understand their obligations. This approach, combined with our data collation efforts, will significantly curb evasion,” Asuquo noted.

As the Nigerian economy grapples with rising fiscal demands, the collaboration between FIRS and security agencies is expected to be pivotal in meeting the country’s revenue goals.

The continued focus on intelligence sharing and stakeholder engagement signals a proactive approach to addressing tax challenges and funding national development.