Technology integration critical to revenue reforms, says Adedeji

Zacch Adedeji, executive chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), has said that integrating technology into revenue systems is critical to reforming Nigeria’s tax administration and strengthening compliance across all tiers of government.

Adedeji spoke on Monday in Abuja at the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) Stakeholder Engagement Forum themed “Harmonising Revenue Systems and Implementing New Tax Laws.”

He was represented by Olusegun Adesokan, executive secretary of the Joint Revenue Board.

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He said technology would play a central role in implementing the new tax framework by improving efficiency, transparency and accountability.

Adedeji urged subnational tax authorities to align with the reforms, noting that digital integration would reduce leakages, enhance compliance and improve coordination within the revenue system.

He described the forum as timely, stating that the ongoing fiscal reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are aimed at repositioning Nigeria’s revenue architecture to promote efficiency, equity and sustainable public finance management.

Adedeji commended the FCT-IRS for convening stakeholders to align local revenue administration with national reforms, adding that stronger inter-agency collaboration is necessary to address fragmentation, which increases compliance costs and weakens enforcement.

Michael Ango, acting executive chairman of the FCT-IRS, said the engagement was designed to strengthen partnerships with taxpayers and institutional stakeholders.

“We are here to discuss our vision for the FCT and how we can work together to achieve it,” Ango said, noting that sustainable infrastructure development depends largely on internally generated revenue.

He said recent improvements in infrastructure and security across the territory were supported by deliberate fiscal planning backed by tax revenues.

Predictable revenue flows, he added, are essential for funding infrastructure, security and public services required for a functional capital city.

Ango also noted that the FCT-IRS, as a statutory member of the Joint Revenue Board, now has expanded access to national tax systems and digital infrastructure, which will enhance coordination and improve tax administration. He reiterated that the service prioritises voluntary compliance, with enforcement measures deployed as a last resort.

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Also speaking, Chinwe Ndu, director of taxpayer services, said the forum aimed to deepen understanding of the new tax laws, encourage voluntary compliance and improve the ease of doing business in the FCT.

“Tax thrives on clarity and collaboration,” she said, noting that a predictable and transparent tax framework is essential to sustaining business confidence.

Stakeholders at the forum stressed that harmonisation of revenue systems, supported by technology and legislative clarity, is necessary to build a more coherent and efficient tax environment nationwide.