FIRS, EFCC Strengthen Partnership to Boost Tax Compliance
Atume Terfa
In a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s revenue system, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have deepened their strategic alliance to promote voluntary tax compliance and combat financial crimes linked to tax evasion.
FIRS Executive Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji announced that the agency is shifting from a primarily audit-driven approach to a proactive compliance framework designed to make tax payment seamless and taxpayer-friendly. He highlighted the use of predictive and preventive technologies to reduce errors and identify risks before they escalate.
“We are leveraging technology, public education, and closer stakeholder engagement to simplify compliance, especially within the informal sector,” Adedeji said, citing the need to build trust and encourage taxpayers to fulfill their obligations voluntarily.
The collaboration with the EFCC is also being expanded. FIRS has called for data-sharing and joint training programs with the anti-graft agency to improve intelligence gathering and enforcement efficiency. EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede underscored the importance of the partnership, describing it as critical to safeguarding Nigeria’s economic stability.
To formalize the arrangement, both agencies are considering signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to streamline operations and eliminate gaps in enforcement. The move follows a July 2025 Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja affirming EFCC’s legal authority to investigate tax evasion, citing Section 46 of the EFCC Act and provisions of the FIRS Act that support inter-agency collaboration.
Analysts note that the reinforced partnership is expected to enhance detection of tax-related crimes, strengthen public confidence in the system, and improve revenue collection without over-reliance on punitive audits.
This alliance signals a broader shift in Nigeria’s tax administration—from reactive enforcement to a modern, technology-driven framework that prioritizes voluntary compliance while maintaining a robust legal backbone for enforcement.
