Tax Reforms Central to Economic Resilience – FIRS
President Bola Tinubu’s bold tax reform initiatives remain central to Nigeria’s long-term strategy for economic resilience, according to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji.
A statement from the service on Sunday stated that Adedeji made this known on Friday during the maiden edition of the Distinguished Lecture Series at the University of Ilesa, Osun State.
Addressing an audience of academics, policymakers, students, and industry leaders at the event hosted by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Taiwo Asaolu, Adedeji said Nigeria’s revenue challenges should not be interpreted as a crisis but as an opportunity to implement urgent and far-reaching reforms under President Tinubu’s leadership.
Delivering his lecture titled “Economic Resilience in an Era of Dwindling Revenue,” Adedeji drew attention to the growing pressures confronting public finances globally.
He pointed to digital disruption, rising debt levels, climate-related constraints, and the persistence of overlapping economic shocks as factors that have intensified the need for countries to rethink conventional revenue strategies.
According to him, Nigeria’s response must combine stronger institutions, diversified revenue streams, and the adoption of a modern, technology-driven tax administration framework.
He outlined four critical pillars that he believes are necessary for building a resilient national economy: fiscal flexibility, policy coherence, institutional strength, and human capital adaptability.
Adedeji argued that Nigeria cannot rely solely on traditional revenue sources. Instead, he emphasised the importance of expanding non-oil revenue, deepening existing tax reforms, and investing strategically in skills development to allow citizens and institutions to keep pace with rapidly evolving global economic trends.
Providing insight into President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, especially in the area of FIRS reforms, Adedeji highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at transforming the nation’s tax administration system.
These include the automation of tax processes, expansion of the TaxPro Max platform, improved taxpayer identification mechanisms, and strategic partnerships with state governments to reduce fragmentation and improve coordination in tax collection. According to him, these reforms are designed to enhance “efficiency, transparency, and compliance” across all sectors of the economy.
Adedeji reiterated that the administration’s tax reforms are not merely procedural adjustments but foundational changes intended to reposition Nigeria for sustainable development.
He noted that modern taxation requires seamless systems, accurate data, and collaborative frameworks that encourage compliance while reducing administrative bottlenecks. He added that automation and digital tools are central to achieving these objectives, especially in an economy increasingly influenced by digital transactions and cross-border commercial activities.
In a significant appeal to Nigerian universities, Adedeji urged higher institutions to engage more actively in shaping national economic strategy. He advocated for structured collaboration between academia and government to develop evidence-based models that can support digital taxation, revenue mobilisation, and economic diversification.
According to him, universities must be seen not only as centres of learning but also as “engines of innovation” capable of supporting policy development and boosting national competitiveness.
“The future belongs to countries that invest in knowledge, data, and adaptable human capital,” he said, stressing that Nigeria’s higher institutions possess the resources and intellectual expertise necessary to influence economic policy and drive home-grown solutions to national challenges.
He maintained that sustainable development requires synergy between policy implementers and knowledge producers, adding that Nigeria must cultivate an environment where academic research directly informs economic planning.