Must Read
There has been mixed reaction across Nigeria after the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) openly thanked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for helping it meet the Federal Government’s 2025 revenue target.
The statement was made on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in Abuja, when the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr. Zach Adedeji, led his management team on a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters.
Adedeji praised the EFCC for its role, saying President Bola Tinubu had already commended the revenue service for hitting its target. But, according to him, it would be wrong for people to think FIRS achieved it alone.
“We need to visit and take Mr. President’s appreciation to our partners. You really helped us in achieving our goal and by extension in sustaining financial stability of Nigeria,” Adedeji said.
He added that FIRS was about to begin another budget cycle and needed EFCC’s support to ensure taxpayers see transparency in how government spends public money.
EFCC Responds
In his response, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, congratulated FIRS for what he described as a “historic achievement,” noting that it was rare for Nigeria to meet revenue targets so early in the year.
Olukoyede also said the partnership between EFCC and FIRS was important, because when the public sees both agencies working together, it “sends a signal that it is no longer going to be business as usual.”
He reminded the public that the Court of Appeal had recently ruled in favour of EFCC’s powers to investigate tax fraud, a judgment that settled long-running debates.
“Our primary mandate is to prevent and investigate financial and economic crimes. Tax and revenue issues fall under that. The court has made a pronouncement, so we are working within our legal mandate,” he stated.
Olukoyede further explained that financial discipline was as important as raising revenue, and assured Nigerians that EFCC would keep working with FIRS to ensure accountability.
Public Concerns
While both agencies celebrated their cooperation, some Nigerians on social media expressed concerns. Questions are being asked: does this partnership mean EFCC is directly collecting money from citizens in a forceful way, just to help FIRS meet targets?
The EFCC has not responded to such worries, but officials insist their focus is on investigating tax fraud and ensuring financial crimes do not affect government revenue.
For many Nigerians, the hope is that this new partnership will not lead to harassment of small businesses and taxpayers, but rather ensure that those who evade or mismanage public funds are held accountable.
What It Means Going Forward
With the new Revenue Act set to take effect from January 1, 2026, both agencies say their cooperation will continue. According to Olukoyede, “Synergy is very key. We will continue to work with FIRS because bringing in money alone is not enough. Value for money and financial responsibility are also part of our duty.”
Whether this partnership will improve trust in Nigeria’s tax system, or whether it will increase public fear of EFCC operations, is something that only time will reveal.
