FIRS, EFCC Join Forces to Boost Tax Compliance

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced a stronger collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of a renewed push to enforce voluntary tax compliance and safeguard Nigeria’s revenue base. The move comes at a time when the country is seeking to expand its tax net, strengthen public confidence in revenue collection, and reduce overdependence on oil income.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, underscored the critical role the anti-graft agency plays in ensuring Nigerians meet their tax obligations. According to him, no tax system can function effectively without visible consequences for those who choose to evade their civic duty. He stressed that inter-agency cooperation would be central to building a culture of compliance.

“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.”

The FIRS boss also explained that compliance improves when citizens see evidence that their tax contributions are being put to good use. He described visible development projects as the “main advertisement” for voluntary compliance. In his words, “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.”

Adedeji pointed to preventive strategies and partnerships with agencies like the EFCC as major contributors to Nigeria’s recent revenue successes. Last week, President Bola Tinubu announced that the Federal Government had already met its 2025 revenue target by August, with over N20 trillion collected, largely from non-oil sources. For Adedeji, this achievement was not the work of FIRS alone but the result of coordinated efforts across multiple institutions.

The meeting also served as an opportunity to highlight upcoming reforms in Nigeria’s tax system. Starting in January 2026, the newly signed Tax Acts will come into effect, transforming the Federal Inland Revenue Service into the Nigerian Revenue Service. The reform is expected to modernize tax administration, broaden the tax base, and increase efficiency. For the new structure to succeed, however, enforcement and deterrence will be critical, which is where the EFCC’s role becomes indispensable.

Responding to Adedeji’s remarks, the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to supporting the FIRS. He emphasized that collaboration between the two agencies sends a clear signal to tax evaders and the wider public that non-compliance will not 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 added that recent judicial backing had further strengthened the EFCC’s mandate in tax-related matters. A Court of Appeal judgement had affirmed the commission’s authority to investigate tax fraud, a ruling Olukoyede described as a significant boost.

While clarifying the EFCC’s role, he explained, “We are not assessors of tax liabilities, but we can investigate non-compliance and push assessment issues back to you. Our duty remains the prevention, investigation, and prosecution of financial crimes. Synergy is therefore essential.”

The partnership between the two institutions is being built on two main pillars: preventive measures and voluntary compliance. The idea is to reduce the need for aggressive enforcement by creating a culture where compliance is the norm, but to back this up with visible enforcement actions when necessary.

For ordinary Nigerians, this collaboration has far-reaching implications. A stronger tax enforcement system could lead to improved government revenues, which in turn might translate to better funding for infrastructure, healthcare, and education. At the same time, the visibility of EFCC involvement could deter wealthy individuals and corporations that often find ways to avoid taxes. For small business owners and middle-income earners who feel overburdened, however, the hope is that the system will be applied fairly and not target only those easiest to catch.

Experts argue that the success of this initiative will depend on balancing enforcement with transparency. While stricter measures may improve compliance in the short term, long-term success will come only if taxpayers believe their money is being used effectively. This is why Adedeji’s emphasis on showing tangible results is critical. Nigerians are more likely to pay taxes willingly if they see better roads, functional hospitals, and reliable public services funded through those contributions.

The renewed partnership also reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s fiscal strategy. With global oil prices unpredictable and crude production struggling to meet OPEC quotas, the government has little choice but to rely more heavily on non-oil revenue. Taxation, therefore, is becoming the backbone of public finance. Strengthening the enforcement framework and building public trust are necessary steps if Nigeria hopes to achieve sustainable growth and financial stability.

Both leaders ended the meeting with a pledge to deepen their working relationship. For Adedeji, the goal is to build a modern revenue service that operates on transparency, fairness, and efficiency. For Olukoyede, the priority remains fighting financial crimes while ensuring that tax evasion does not become a loophole for corruption. Together, they aim to create a system where paying taxes is not only seen as a legal obligation but also as a civic duty that fuels national development.

As Nigeria edges closer to implementing its new tax reforms in 2026, the partnership between FIRS and EFCC may prove decisive in shaping the country’s financial future. For taxpayers, the message is becoming clearer: voluntary compliance is encouraged, but evasion will carry serious consequences.