The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has lauded the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its role in helping Nigeria meet the Federal Government’s 2025 revenue target.
Zach Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the FIRS, gave the commendation on Tuesday, during a courtesy visit to Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman, at the Commission’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.
Adedeji, who led a delegation of his management team, said the EFCC’s interventions and collaboration were instrumental to the country’s fiscal stability.
“If you listened to Mr. President last week, we were being praised to the high heavens for meeting our revenue target. But it is wrong to assume that we are the only ones doing the job.
“We felt it was important to extend that appreciation to our partners, especially the EFCC, whose support has been invaluable in helping us sustain Nigeria’s financial stability,” he stated.
He explained that the visit was not only to appreciate the Commission but also to seek deeper cooperation in ensuring voluntary tax compliance and transparency in public spending.
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“We are going into another budget cycle where we are trying to reform our expenditure framework. The main advertisement of compliance is when people see what the revenues collected are used for.
“You are critical to that process, and we want to build a transparent framework that will encourage taxpayers to comply voluntarily,” Adedeji said.
The FIRS boss further noted that Nigeria’s sub-national governments had recorded unprecedented inflows due to improved revenue performance, which he attributed in part to EFCC’s backing.
Responding, Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman, congratulated the FIRS for meeting the revenue target well ahead of schedule, describing it as an unprecedented achievement in Nigeria’s history.
“I’m not sure there has been any time we have met our revenue target by August. Many people don’t understand the econometrics involved in that. I want to thank you for your commitment to this cause.
Collaboration is key. When people see EFCC working side by side with FIRS, it sends a strong message that it is no longer business as usual,” Olukoyede said.
He also reaffirmed the EFCC’s mandate to investigate and prosecute tax-related offences, stressing that the Court of Appeal had recently validated the Commission’s powers in that regard.
“Our primary mandate is to prevent and prosecute financial and economic crimes.
“Tax and revenue issues fall within that scope, and the court has affirmed our position.
“We have had a joint task force with FIRS over the years, and we will continue to strengthen that partnership,” Olukoyede noted.
The EFCC chairman further assured that the Commission would work closely with FIRS to ensure transparency and accountability in government spending, warning that mobilising revenue alone without financial discipline would not solve the country’s fiscal challenges.
He also congratulated the FIRS on the passage of the Revenue Act, set to take effect from January 1, 2026, expressing optimism that the law would add value to Nigeria’s economy.
“We are committed to supporting you anytime, any day. Together, we can help ensure that Nigeria’s revenue mobilization translates into tangible development outcomes,” Olukoyede affirmed.
