President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria’s new tax reforms will foster economic prosperity and inclusivity, describing the country’s old, colonial-era tax laws as fragmented systems that contributed to widespread poverty.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the commissioning of the 16-storey headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), the President said the newly implemented tax regime is designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, positioning the economy for sustainable growth and global competitiveness.
The event was attended by top government officials, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, alongside ministers, lawmakers, private-sector leaders, and several state governors.
Tinubu stated that the reforms, which became fully operational in January, are aimed at dismantling outdated fiscal structures and replacing them with a coherent, transparent, and efficient system. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to addressing structural weaknesses, restoring financial stability, and building an economy anchored on discipline, equity, and opportunity.
“We are not merely commissioning an edifice, but marking a milestone in strengthening our fiscal foundation and rebuilding public trust,” the President said, adding that no nation can achieve lasting prosperity with a weak and opaque revenue system.
The President commended the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, for completing the headquarters within 30 months—more than two decades after its foundation was laid—and for driving institutional reforms. The facility is expected to accommodate about 3,000 staff and includes a data processing centre, clinic, auditorium, training facilities, gym, and library.
Tinubu also acknowledged the contributions of Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, in modernising Nigeria’s tax framework into a more accessible and efficient system.
Addressing concerns about the reforms, the President assured that the NRS has been repositioned as a technology-driven revenue institution, guided by data and responsive to citizens’ needs, particularly the vulnerable. He noted early gains, including improved fiscal stability, stronger foreign reserves, enhanced trade efficiency, and increased investor confidence.
He emphasised that the reforms are not intended to increase the tax burden but to simplify processes, eliminate distortions, and ensure fairness and transparency, while linking taxation more directly to public value.
Calling for high institutional standards, Tinubu urged the NRS leadership to prioritise accountability, fairness, and public trust, stressing that the agency must serve as a model of efficiency and professionalism.
In his remarks, Akpabio urged Nigerians to exercise patience, noting that ongoing economic reforms are already yielding tangible benefits, including improved fuel availability and increased domestic production capacity.
Similarly, Abbas said the reforms have addressed long-standing inefficiencies caused by overlapping mandates and fragmented legal frameworks, aligning fiscal policies into a unified and coherent system.
Earlier, Adedeji described the commissioning as a landmark in Nigeria’s fiscal reform journey, noting that over 60 fragmented tax laws have been consolidated into a streamlined framework to improve compliance, predictability, and administration.
He disclosed that national revenue collections grew significantly from ₦6.8 trillion five years ago to ₦28.7 trillion in 2025, attributing the increase to structural reforms rather than higher tax rates. He added that fiscal governance has been strengthened through improved remittances, transparency, and tighter financial controls.
Adedeji further highlighted the successful launch of the National Single Window initiative in collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service, aimed at modernising trade processes, reducing inefficiencies, and boosting revenue generation.
The event also featured goodwill remarks from the Managing Director of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CECC), which delivered the project, who praised the administration’s reform agenda and infrastructure drive.
The commissioning underscores the administration’s broader effort to rebuild confidence in public institutions and position Nigeria as a competitive destination for investment and economic growth.
