Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) don sign one important cooperation agreement with France to modernise Nigeria tax system through digital transformation, better workforce development and stronger cross-border tax enforcement.
The agreement come few weeks before FIRS go officially turn to Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) for January 2026.
FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, sign the MoU for French Embassy for Abuja. The statement come from Adedeji media adviser, Dare Adekanmbi.
The partnership go make FIRS work directly with France tax authority, Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP), wey be one of the most advanced revenue agencies for Europe.
Adedeji talk say the deal show the two countries get the same goal to build “strong, resilient and future-ready” tax systems, especially as technology, artificial intelligence and digital business dey change how the world dey collect tax.
He talk say digital transformation na the main focus of the partnership. Nigeria go learn from France experience with automated tax compliance, data-driven audit systems and modern taxpayer service platforms. France sef go benefit from Nigeria fast-growing digital economy and its young, tech-savvy population.
Workforce development na another big area for the partnership. Nigeria wan learn from France structured training system, professional standards and continuous learning culture. At the same time, Nigeria own experience with managing young and diverse workforce go give DGFiP fresh ideas.
The MoU still cover international taxation, exchange of information, transfer pricing and work on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS), wey don become serious global concern as businesses dey operate across borders.
Adedeji talk say the partnership go help Nigeria build a more transparent and technology-driven revenue system under the new NRS reforms.
“As we dey enter the era of the Nigeria Revenue Service, this partnership be solid foundation to build modern, trusted and globally connected revenue administration,” he talk.
Nigeria tax-to-GDP ratio still low—between 6% and 10%—compared to African average of 15%. Government believe say digital systems, unified tax administration and better cooperation with foreign partners go help raise revenue without adding new taxes.
France don already lead digital tax reforms globally with e-filing systems, algorithm compliance tools and real-time data analytics.
