ABUJA – The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has unveiled a strategic shift in its approach to tax administration, placing education at the heart of efforts to enhance compliance across Nigeria.
The new direction was announced by FIRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, at the 2025 Emerging Taxpayers’ Group (ETG) Tax Clinic held in Abuja on Wednesday. Themed “Tax Clinic for Tax Clarity,” the event attracted hundreds of participants, including small business owners, entrepreneurs, and informal sector operators.
Adedeji said the agency’s reform agenda aims to create a people-centred tax system where understanding, trust, and transparency replace fear and compulsion.
“When citizens clearly grasp their tax obligations, rights, and the value of their contributions to national development, compliance is no longer a burden, it becomes a civic responsibility,” he said.
He added that FIRS was deploying digital innovations such as the TaxPro-Max platform and taxpayer segmentation models to make tax processes more efficient and accessible.
One of the highlights of the clinic was the Interactive Support Desks, where FIRS staff and representatives from partner agencies offered real-time assistance to attendees.
“Tax compliance is not just about enforcement; it’s about understanding and trust,” Adedeji noted. “This marks a transformative era in Nigeria’s tax administration.”
He urged participants to make the most of the resources and advisory services provided, stressing that their engagement is crucial to national development.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, shed light on the legal frameworks for resolving tax disputes and emphasized the need for trust between taxpayers and tax authorities.
The clinic featured practical sessions on tax administration challenges, record-keeping practices, compliance barriers, and dispute resolution strategies. It also included expert presentations, interactive panels, and one-on-one advisory sessions to support taxpayers in meeting their obligations effectively.
