Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, discusses the agency’s success in growing tax revenue, attributing it to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic parameters. Adedeji sheds light on the reforms at FIRS, emphasizing a customer-focused tax administration. Here are the key highlights from the interview:
You are saddled with mobilizing domestic revenue to oil the engine of the economy. How did you imagine it would be when you got that job?
Adedeji credits President Tinubu for setting the right economic framework before his appointment. The focus on mobilizing resources to solve problems mirrors Lagos State’s successful strategies.
What specific mandate was given to you, and how are you working to achieve that?
Adedeji’s mandate alongside the Minister of Finance is to mobilize domestic revenue to meet targets, like surpassing the 2024 revenue goal of N19.4 trillion.
How did you achieve a 58% increase in tax revenue in the first quarter of 2024?
Adedeji attributes the success to President Tinubu’s bold decisions at the beginning of the administration, creating a conducive environment for tax collection efficiency.
What impact did granting businesses a waiver on interest and penalties have on compliance?
The waiver policy significantly boosted voluntary compliance, reflecting the agency’s aim to support and not penalize taxpayers.
Overall, Adedeji stresses FIRS’s transformation to a customer-centric approach with focus on workforce development, process standardization, and technology integration to enhance service delivery. The agency’s initiative like the National Single Window Project is set to revolutionize data management for efficient revenue mobilization.
What can Nigerians look forward to in the next three years of President Tinubu’s administration?
Adedeji urges Nigerians to hold onto hope as the Renewed Hope Agenda unfolds with infrastructure development and economic growth under President Tinubu’s vision.