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The FIRS’s Tax Collection Revolution – By Salisu Na’inna Dambatta
It is akin to a revolution: welcome to the big paradigm shift in Nigeria’s tax collection.
The shift is from consistently low, inadequate and below targeted tax collection to a record-setting collection of N10.1 trillion in 2022. And the trend of raking in more revenue to finance people-oriented projects continues.
Since his appointment as the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on 9th December, 2019, the country has witnessed and benefitted from his expertise in tax matters. This is unsurprising given his professional and career pedigree. As immediate past Chairman of the African Tax Administrators Forum (ATAF), Mr. Nami led the birth of a consciousness in the continent that technology was the future of taxation. He has carried that philosophy and campaign to the Commonwealth Association of Tax Administrators (CATA), where he has been President since 2021.
The Bayero University Kano graduate, Nami is a trained and skillful Tax, Accounting and Management Professional with high qualifications and professional practicing licences from relevant professional bodies. He has been in the business of Auditing, Tax Management and Advisory Management Services to diverse clients in the Banking, Manufacturing, Services, Public Sector and Non-Profit Organisations for around three decades.
He has transformed the revenue collection for Nigeria by deploying his vast experience, deep knowledge and patriotism to bear on his role as Chairman of the FIRS and Joint Tax Board.
The improved tax collection in the country since his assumption of office as Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to date is evidenced in Tax Statistics/Report the institution has released from 2020 to date.
Whereas the FIRS raked in N10.1 trillion in 2022, the highest ever so far; the same Service could only generate N3,741.7574 trillion out of a modest target total revenue of N4,572.2090 trillion in 2015. The total collection for 2015 at N3.714 trillion was the equivalent of slightly over one third of the 2022 collection.
Three years later in 2018, the revenue target for the FIRS was N6,747.0344 trillion. However, that target proved ambitious as the Service was abled to generate only N5,320.8914 trillion that year. The total revenue for 2018 was just above half of the N10.1 trillion generated by Muhammadu Mami and his team in 2022.
While briefing the National Economic Council (NEC) recently, the top tax man attributed the high tax collection success in the first half year to three factors namely: improved voluntary tax compliance by taxpayers; the continued improvement of automation of tax administration processes, including the updated VAT filing processes; and strong engagement with stakeholders in both the formal and informal sectors of the economy.
He assured the NEC that, “the performance in the second half of the year would be better considering the continuing improvement to our tax administration processes.”
It is heartwarming that the January to June 2023 tax collected in the sum of N5.5 trillion is more than the entire collection of N5.320 trillion in 2018.
Also the N5.5 trillion was more than the target of N5.3 trillion set for the first six months of this year. And the FIRS joyfully celebrated it as the largest tax collected for any six months since tax collection started in Nigeria.
Muhammad Nami disclosed that the non-oil sector contributed more revenue than the oil sector, “Tax revenue collected from the oil sector from January to June 2023 stood at N1.73 trillion, as against a target of N2.3 trillion; while non-oil tax collection stood at N3.76 trillion, as against a target of N2.98 trillion.”
It is important to remember that he was appointed Chairman FIRS in December 2019. In that year, the revenue target was N8,802.3860 trillion. But the total collection for that year was below six trillion: it was N5,261.9163 trillion. There was a shortfall of over N3.5 trillion.
In 2020 his first full year in office, FIRS collected N4.95 trillion a shade below the target of N5,076.8518, at 98 per cent performance. It was achieved amidst a recession, the COVID-19 worldwide economic shutdown, low oil revenue and the economic disruptions caused by the EndSARS protests.
The NBS affirmed that the FIRS collected N6.405 trillion in 2021. The target for that year was N6.401 trillion. It was a 101 per cent success story. But it was triumphantly dwarfed by the N10.1 trillion best-ever collection so far achieved in 2022.
Salisu Na’inna Dambatta wrote from Dambatta town.
News
Oyo 2027: Adelabu Quits As Power Minister To Focus On Guber Race
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has formally resigned from his position in the Federal Government to pursue his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to the President, Adelabu stated that his resignation will take effect on April 30, 2026, to enable him to focus on his governorship ambition in Oyo State.
The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”
He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”
Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.
He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.
“It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”
The former minister said his resignation was to enable him focus fully on his governorship ambition in Oyo State, citing provisions of the amended electoral law.
He added, “My decision to step down is informed by my intention to focus fully on my gubernatorial ambition in Oyo State. This aspiration, which dates back to 2016 during my service as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, ultimately led to my voluntary resignation from the Central Bank in 2018 in order to pursue the same goal.”
“In line with the provisions of the Amended Electoral Act 2026, which preclude political office holders from contesting elections, I consider it both appropriate and necessary to resign at this time.”
Adelabu’s exit marks a major political development ahead of the next electoral cycle, particularly in Oyo State, where he is expected to contest the governorship election.
News
Wale Edun, Musa Dangiwa Resigned Voluntarily, Not Sacked – Presidency
The Presidency has clarified that Wale Edun (former Finance Minister) and Ahmed Musa Dangiwa (former Housing Minister) voluntarily resigned from their positions and were not sacked by President Tinubu.
In a statement released this evening April 22, presidential media aide, Bayo Onanuga, said that contrary to public opinions, Wale Edun resigned on health grounds while Dangiwa also tendered his resignation and thanked the President for the opportunity given him to serve in the Federal Executive Council.
Onanuga stated that Edun, who clocked 70 on Monday and has battled recent ill health, fittingly submitted his resignation letter on his birthday, thanking the President for the opportunity to serve Nigeria.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to serve your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda, Under your leadership, Nigeria has emerged stronger, more resilient and more internationally respected. I wish you and the administration every success in the future” he wrote
Onanuga stated that on Tuesday, before the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation announced his departure from the Cabinet, Edun paid a valedictory visit to the President at the Villa and held an hour-long discussion with the president and then left to focus on his private businesses.
The presidential aide stated that President Tinubu has expressed deep appreciation to Edun and Dangiwa for their dedicated service and significant contributions to the administration’s economic reform programme and wished them continued success in their future endeavours.
‘’In the same vein, the President has urged the new Minister of Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, to consolidate ongoing reforms and advance the administration’s fiscal and economic objectives with renewed focus, discipline, and innovation.
President Tinubu will shortly send the ministerial nominee for housing, Muttaqha Rabe Darma, also from Katsina, like Dangiwa, to the Senate for confirmation” the statement concluded
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Unity Bank, Experts Advocate Green Investment, Climate Innovation To Drive Economic Resilience
Nigeria’s retail lender, Unity Bank Plc, alongside leading climate innovation experts, has called for increased investment in the green economy and the adoption of frontier technologies as critical pathways to driving economic resilience and reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations across Africa.
The call was made during a thought-provoking webinar hosted by the Bank to commemorate this year’s Earth Day, themed “The True Cost of Climate Change and Who Pays?”. Climate experts and stakeholders convened to examine the human, economic, and institutional costs of climate change, while spotlighting practical solutions to address its growing impact.
In his opening remarks, Unity Bank’s Head of Strategy and Innovation, Ibukun Coker, emphasised the urgency of addressing climate risks from both a societal and business perspective.
He said: “Climate change is no longer a distant or abstract challenge. It is an existential threat with direct consequences for individuals, businesses, and economies. At Unity Bank, we recognise the role institutions must play in incorporating sustainability in project financing, supporting businesses and promoting solutions that build resilience in communities where we operate.”
The webinar featured Chinwe Udo-Davis, Founder and CEO of Instollar, and Oluwatosin Ajide, Programme Manager at the Nigeria Climate Innovation Centre, both of whom provided insights into the drivers of climate change and the pathways to mitigation and adaptation.
Speaking during the session, Udo-Davis highlighted the disproportionate burden which climate change places on underserved communities and the need for inclusive solutions.
“The true cost of climate change is not evenly distributed. Communities with the least resources are often the most affected, whether through energy poverty, environmental degradation, or limited access to sustainable alternatives. Addressing this imbalance requires intentional investment in clean energy solutions that are both accessible and scalable.”
Ajide underscored the importance of coordinated, system-wide approaches in tackling climate challenges, particularly through innovation and policy alignment.
“Climate change is fundamentally a structural problem, and its solution requires a paradigm shift: from innovation and policy to financing and implementation. Stakeholders must work collaboratively to drive solutions that are sustainable and inclusive.”
The session also explored emerging opportunities in climate technology, renewable energy, and ecosystem financing, reinforcing the role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in building long-term resilience.
By hosting the webinar, Unity Bank continues to demonstrate its commitment to advancing sustainability-focused dialogue and supporting initiatives that promote responsible growth and environmental stewardship.
The initiative underscores the Bank’s broader strategic focus on environmental sustainability as well as its commitment to financial inclusion.
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