The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for its ongoing tax reforms, describing the agency’s progress as significant in enhancing Nigeria’s revenue mobilisation efforts.
Speaking at the opening session of the IMF-supported Headquarters Mission at the Revenue House in Abuja, Paulo Paz, Senior Economist in the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, praised the leadership of FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji and the agency’s renewed drive for efficient tax administration.
“The IMF recognises the very good work that FIRS has been doing for the benefit of Nigerian citizens,” Paz said. “With the enactment of new tax reform laws, the agency faces new responsibilities, and we are here to continue supporting you as partners in this journey.”
Paz noted that the mission was designed to assess how the IMF can further assist the tax agency, particularly in implementing the newly signed tax laws which are expected to enhance Nigeria’s revenue system and strengthen compliance.
“Our role is to help you navigate the challenges of these powerful new laws, which will elevate the importance of tax administration in Nigeria,” he stated. “We are proud to be partners in this process and look forward to seeing even greater results.”
Welcoming the IMF delegation, Adedeji—represented by his Chief of Staff, Tayo Koleosho—expressed appreciation for the IMF’s longstanding partnership with the FIRS. He reaffirmed that the collaboration would continue as the agency transitions to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in 2026.
“The IMF has been on this journey with us, and we are excited to move forward together. Whether in digital transformation, VAT automation, or compliance management, we have made strides,” Koleosho said. “We are particularly focused on integrating data portfolio management into our corporate planning to ensure that our strategies translate into measurable outcomes.”
Also speaking, Mrs. Bolaji Akintola, Coordinating Director of the Corporate Services Group, highlighted the IMF’s critical role in supporting FIRS through its reform journey. She pointed out that the agency, with IMF’s technical backing, conducted two assessments using the Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool (TADAT) between 2018 and 2023.
“After each TADAT evaluation, we developed reform roadmaps to address the systemic weaknesses uncovered during the assessments,” Akintola explained. “The 2023 TADAT showed marked improvements over 2018, reflecting the Service’s commitment to institutional excellence.”
Adding further insight, Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, explained that reforms have continued since the 2023 assessment, with many of the weaknesses already addressed and codified in the four new tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu.
“If another TADAT were conducted today, the results would be better than those of 2023, given the significant reforms we’ve implemented,” Adekanmbi said.
The IMF mission signals the deepening partnership between the global financial institution and Nigeria’s revenue agency, as both work towards creating a more transparent, efficient, and technology-driven tax system that can boost the country’s economic development.
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