FIRS Assures Agencies on Job Security Amid Tax Reforms
By Patience Ikpeme
Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji has reassured that the proposed tax reforms in front of the National Assembly will not lead to job cuts or threaten the existence of any government agency.
Adedeji explained that the four tax bills aim to improve Nigeria’s revenue system without changing the roles of federal agencies.
While speaking to the heads of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Adedeji clarified that renaming the FIRS to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) will not mean merging these agencies under FIRS.
He assured them that the bills will not reduce their funding or limit their effectiveness. “These bills are meant to provide a strong base for your continued operation,” he said, adding that the new name reflects better coordination, not changes in each agency’s main duties.
Adedeji praised the heads of NASENI, NITDA, and TETFUND for coming forward to clarify their concerns. He highlighted that the reforms aim to make revenue collection simpler, so agencies can focus on their main work instead of revenue management. “The goal is to improve tax efficiency and make it easier for people to comply with tax laws,” he explained.
The FIRS chairman also mentioned that these changes aim to reduce the confusion caused by too many different tax rules. “It’s widely agreed that having many separate taxes is a problem. The laws that created these agencies include tax rules that must be followed,” he said, adding that President Bola Tinubu’s administration wants to bring these rules together for a simpler, modern tax system.
Additionally, Adedeji said the reforms will make Nigeria more appealing to investors by creating a clear and reliable tax system. “To attract businesses from around the world, we need to have a tax system that works well,” he concluded.
The four tax bills, once approved, are expected to modernize Nigeria’s tax framework, improve the economy, and ensure smooth operations for all agencies involved.
