The newly appointed acting chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacchaeus Adedeji, has made a resounding commitment to facilitate Nigeria’s growth and development.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Adedeji as the acting chairman of FIRS, and he officially assumed office recently.
In a statement, Adedeji affirmed that the agency is determined to surpass Africa’s average tax-to-GDP ratio of 16.5% and achieve an impressive 18% within three years.
By doing so, the agency seeks to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on borrowing, ensuring financial sustainability.
Adedeji also expressed the FIRS’s commitment to aligning its operations with President Bola Tinubu’s Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee.
This collaboration aims to shape a prosperous fiscal landscape that empowers national growth and development.
Adedeji emphasized that the FIRS will place innovation, technology, and fresh ideas at the forefront of its operations to enhance efficiency, fortify against revenue leaks, and bolster coordination and accountability within the organization.
The FIRS’s overarching goal is to nurture voluntary tax compliance by establishing a modern, dependable tax system that garners the trust and admiration of all stakeholders.
This will create an environment where taxpayers willingly fulfil their civic duties. However, for those who deviate from their tax obligations, Adedeji warned that FIRS would enforce its responsibilities judiciously.
The agency plans to implement a robust enforcement model that effectively deters tax evaders while maintaining fairness and transparency in its processes.
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Adedeji emphasized that quality data would be the cornerstone of FIRS’s operations.
This will enable the agency to measure its progress, make informed decisions, and maintain the highest standards of accountability.
Adedeji pledged to maintain an open-door policy and engage actively with stakeholders to collaboratively construct a tax administration that Nigerians would be proud of.
The principles of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and fairness are non-negotiable in their service to the nation.
Finally, Adedeji acknowledged his predecessor, Muhammad Nami, whose leadership elevated FIRS standards during his tenure, paving the way for the agency’s future endeavours.
Adedeji firmly believes in the wisdom encapsulated in the statement that revenue growth is the lifeblood of a nation’s economy, providing the means to fulfil essential duties to its citizens.
