By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA – The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has embarked on a transformative journey to redefine its operations, focusing on innovation, growth and strategic reforms aimed at securing Nigeria’s economic future.

In a statement released to journalists in Abuja, Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, outlined the agency’s renewed vision. This vision goes beyond the traditional role of revenue collection, positioning FIRS as a key driver of national economic stability and prosperity.

Contributing over 65 per cent of the revenue distributed across all levels of government, the FIRS stands at a critical point as it works to meet ambitious revenue targets. These targets have risen significantly from ₦10 trillion in 2023 to ₦19.4 trillion in 2024, with a projection of ₦25.2 trillion for 2025. Achieving these goals is vital to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on debt and ensuring sustainable funding for development programmes, infrastructure expansion and social investments.

“Change at FIRS is not just about subtraction, but also about addition, refinement and innovation. We are expanding our human capital by recruiting more skilled professionals, strengthening the competence of our existing workforce and enhancing our operations through digitisation, automation and smarter workflows,” said Omokaro.

The reforms also involve improving internal processes to boost efficiency. This includes streamlining workflows, enhancing taxpayer engagement to promote transparency and realigning structures to support performance-based outcomes. While outdated systems and practices are being replaced, Omokaro noted that these changes are strategic and designed to create room for more effective and sustainable solutions.

“Not all change requires a complete overhaul. In many instances, subtle but meaningful adjustments can yield significant results. This includes improving turnaround times, revisiting internal procedures and aligning organisational structures with accountability and performance goals,” he added.

Under the leadership of Executive Chairman Zacch Adedeji PhD, FIRS is positioning itself as a forward-looking institution that not only adapts to change but leads it. Adedeji’s vision is built on bold, inclusive and value-driven transformation, which he believes is crucial for the progress of both the agency and the country.

“The future of FIRS, and indeed the nation, depends on our collective ability to embrace bold, strategic and inclusive change. Transformation is not merely a policy direction. It is a value system,” Omokaro quoted Adedeji as saying.

The statement also emphasised the importance of stakeholder support, calling on both internal and external actors to back the agency’s transformation drive.

Omokaro reiterated that this is not a limited reform effort, but a comprehensive recalibration of people, processes and platforms. The objective, he said, is to ensure FIRS meets its targets and plays a key role in Nigeria’s long-term economic prosperity.

“This transformational journey is being led by the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, who strongly believes that the future of the institution, and indeed the nation, rests on our shared commitment to bold, strategic and inclusive change,” Omokaro added.