By Kayode Ogunwale

L-R: Mrs Dapo Awolowo (Head, Office of the Special Adviser on Media to the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS); Mr. Dare Adekanmbi (Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman); Mr. Charles Okonji, National Chairman, Commerce and Industry Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CICAN); Mr. Femi Olarinde (Special Adviser on Tax Policy) and Mr. Sikiru Akinola (Technical Assistant, Media) at the FIRS Media Parley with CICAN members in Lagos.

 

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) is not only celebrating meeting its revenue generation targets but also expressing immense joy over the impact its restructuring of the tax system has had on boosting economic growth and development within the nation.
An exemplary initiative in this regard is the unveiling of the National Single Window, a program that has significantly bolstered economic growth. By streamlining processes and reducing bureaucracy, this initiative has facilitated easier access to global markets for businesses, particularly at the nation’s ports, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and increasing government revenue.
The Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji represented by Special Adviser on Tax Policy, Mr. Femi Olarinde and other official of the agency disclosed this to journaliat during the medical parley held in Lagos on Thursday.
Since assuming office in September 2023, he expressed great satisfaction with the progress made under his leadership. He highlighted the significant improvement in tax compliance among international shipping companies engaged in crude oil lifting operations in Nigeria. Notably, the Agency, under his stewardship, surpassed its revenue target for 2023 by collecting a commendable N12.36 trillion, representing 107 percent of the set target of N11.55 trillion.
Another feat of the Agency is the achievement of 81 percent of the collection of first quarter 2024 revenue amounting to N3.94 trillion being an all-time highest in the same quarter and 56 percent higher than Q1 2023.
The FIRS has equally integrated nine new modules on the tax administration system, TaxProMax, automating over 80 per cent of manual processes.
Adedeji, through strategic planning and innovative initiatives, has transformed the tax office into a modern and efficient “One-stop shop” system that caters to various taxpayer categories. By categorizing taxpayers into Large, Medium, and Small segments, the office has successfully boosted customer satisfaction levels and significantly decreased complaints from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024.
Furthermore, the Agency has made significant strides in simplifying tax-related procedures by providing tailored services and enhancing tax education programs, resulting in a notable 20 percent increase in tax compliance rates.
The recent reorganization of the FIRS, as highlighted by the Chairman, underscores the agency’s commitment to optimizing operations, improving efficiency, and fostering a customer-centric culture. The revised structure now prioritizes People-Centric solutions, Effectiveness & Efficiency measures, Cohesiveness, Data-Driven Approaches, Adaptability, and cutting edge Innovation, aligning the FIRS with its new strategic objectives.
These strategic shifts demonstrate the agency’s dedication to meeting evolving targets and ensuring enhanced service delivery to all taxpayers.