ABUJA – The partnership between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the International Monetary Fund’s AFRITAC West 2 (AFW2) is yielding concrete improvements in Nigeria’s tax administration, according to Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communication and Advocacy to FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji.
Omokaro made this known in a statement following AFW2’s 12th regional meeting and field visit to the FIRS headquarters in Abuja. He said the collaboration is modernising revenue collection, strengthening tax compliance, and supporting broader economic growth across West Africa.
“The visit marked a significant moment in highlighting the strong collaboration between FIRS and the International Monetary Fund, through AFRITAC West 2,” Omokaro stated.
He highlighted key achievements from the partnership over the past year, including the use of behavioural insights to reshape public perception of taxation as a civic duty. The partnership also supported a detailed VAT revenue gap analysis, which has improved tax policy formulation and compliance strategies.
In addition, the collaboration has facilitated specialised audit training for high-risk sectors such as finance, with plans to extend similar capacity building to the telecommunications sector.
Omokaro also noted that FIRS has made significant strides in digital project portfolio management, streamlining how tax reforms are planned and tracked. The agency has adopted a more integrated strategic framework to align departmental goals with national revenue targets.
“This collaboration has been instrumental in helping FIRS become a modern, efficient, and citizen-focused tax authority, aligned with Nigeria’s broader economic reform agenda,” he added.
The regional meeting and visit also provided a platform for mutual learning and experience sharing among participating institutions, reinforcing a shared commitment to institutional strengthening across the region.
Omokaro concluded by reaffirming FIRS’s dedication to the ongoing collaboration, describing it as a vital step toward sustainable economic growth and institutional modernisation in Nigeria.
“The partnership with AFRITAC West 2 continues to deliver measurable results across key institutional priorities, ensuring a stronger, more responsive tax system for Nigeria,” he said.
