The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially transitioned into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS), following the signing of the Tax Reforms Bills into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The new development signals a significant shift in Nigeria’s revenue administration.
Chairman of the new Nigerian Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, who spoke shortly after the presidential assent, described the development as historic and transformative.
“We were the FIRS just two hours ago, but with the President’s assent to the Tax Reforms Bills, we are now the Nigerian Revenue Service.
“This change reflects a broader mandate—not just tax administration, but overall revenue generation, including non-tax income.” He said.
The restructuring marks a fundamental change in the architecture of public finance in Nigeria.
By widening the scope of the agency to include the collection of non-tax revenues and enhancing efficiency across board, the reforms aim to strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal resilience and reduce reliance on oil income.
President Tinubu’s assent follows months of deliberations and input from the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee led by Taiwo Oyedele.
The committee had earlier submitted interim recommendations, urging the harmonization of tax processes, the elimination of redundant taxes, and an overhaul of the revenue collection framework to reduce leakages and improve ease of compliance.
Dr. Adedeji noted that the renaming of the service goes beyond a change in nomenclature.
“It is a bold declaration of intent—a clear message that we are entering a new era of efficient, technology-driven, and transparent revenue administration,” he stated.
He added that the NRS would deepen collaboration with sub-national governments and ensure that the agency becomes a catalyst for development, aligned with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The new law also provides the legal backing for a restructured revenue system that is expected to enhance service delivery, streamline administrative processes and foster public trust in the country’s fiscal institutions.
