FIRS, EFCC pledge tougher joint action to tackle tax evasion

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have vowed to deepen their partnership in order to enhance Nigeria’s tax compliance framework, deter tax evasion, and protect public funds.

During a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja Wednesday, FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, highlighted the urgent need for stronger inter-agency collaboration to improve financial stability and public confidence in Nigeria’s tax system.

“We cannot pursue 200 million Nigerians individually to do the right thing, but we want to put a system in place that will aid compliance,” Adedeji said.

READ ALSO: Very Dark Man visits Ghana following closure of Nigerian shops by Ghanaians

“You can help us by letting people know that when they violate the law, there is a place you can keep them. On behalf of the President and Nigerians, we thank you for your support and seek even deeper cooperation,” he added.

Adedeji stressed that voluntary compliance would only increase if taxpayers saw clear evidence that their contributions were being used effectively.

“The main advertisement of voluntary compliance is when people begin to see what we use the money we collect for. In achieving that goal, you are critical, not just in arresting defaulters but in supporting our Department of Fraud Risk, Assessment and Control to ensure value for money,” he said.

He attributed Nigeria’s revenue performance to preventive strategies and robust partnerships with key agencies, noting that the FIRS’ success was “a collective effort, not one by FIRS alone.”