News
Revolutionizing Revenue Collection: FIRS’s Remarkable Journey
By Jantiku Ijanada
In a stunning fiscal performance, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has shattered all records in revenue collection.
For the first half of 2023, they proudly announced a staggering tax revenue collection of N5.5 trillion, marking an unprecedented milestone in Nigeria’s financial history.
The road leading to this extraordinary achievement has been anything but ordinary.
The FIRS, under its current leadership, has undergone a remarkable transformation, positioning Nigeria on the path of economic growth, development, and sustainability.
In the face of adversities, the FIRS has consistently exceeded expectations.
In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and #EndSARS protests, they collected N4.95 trillion, hitting 98% of their target.
The following year, 2021, saw them amass a remarkable N6.405 trillion, surpassing their goal by 101%.
However, the zenith was reached in 2022 when they collected a staggering N10.1 trillion, marking the highest ever single-year collection and crossing the N10 trillion threshold for the first time in history.
This remarkable accomplishment rewrote Nigeria’s tax collection history and set the stage for double-digit collections in the future.
The arrival of Muhammad Nami as the Executive Chairman of the FIRS ushered in a new era of rejuvenation and transformation.
His visionary reforms and strategies have elevated the service to unprecedented heights, surpassing all previous achievements.
Under Nami’s guidance, the FIRS adopted four cardinal goals to steer the agency towards improved tax revenue collection:
Customer-Centric Approach: Placing the taxpayer at the forefront, the FIRS aimed to provide excellent service, fostering voluntary tax compliance.
Data-Centric Philosophy: Embracing data-driven decision-making, the service harnessed technology to streamline tax administration processes, including VAT filing, and engaged stakeholders in both the formal and informal sectors.
Enhanced Stakeholder Collaboration: The FIRS prioritized collaboration with stakeholders, forging partnerships that bolstered tax collection efforts.
Revamped Institutional Framework: A reimagined organizational structure ensured staff efficiency, with a commitment to continuous training and retraining.
These strategic goals have borne fruit, as evidenced by their 2023-2024 tax revenue outlook, presented to the National Economic Council.
During a recent interview on the Business Morning Show, Muhammad Nami revealed the key reforms driving their ongoing success.
These include:
Stakeholder Engagement: Fostering stronger connections with stakeholders and ensuring taxpayer satisfaction.
Educational Initiatives: Issuing informative circulars, enlightening taxpayers on their rights and obligations, and providing guidance on tax laws and filing procedures.
Technological Advancements: Implementing “TaxPro Max” and other technological tools to automate tax administration, resulting in increased efficiency.
Data Utilization: Leveraging data and intelligence for tax collection and creating a comprehensive tax database.
These transformative reforms have propelled the FIRS to unparalleled success in revenue collection, and the outlook for the future is promising.
With their continued hyper-achievements, the FIRS appears poised for a prosperous future.
Muhammad Nami expressed confidence in their second-half performance, given the ongoing improvements in tax administration processes and the positive impact of government policies on the economy.
As they set their sights on a second-half target of N7.5 trillion, it’s highly likely that the FIRS will once again surpass expectations, continuing to redefine the boundaries of revenue collection in Nigeria.
The agency’s remarkable journey shows no signs of slowing down, promising a brighter financial future for both the FIRS and the nation as a whole.
The Senior Pastor and founder of Zion Flames Prophetic and Intercessory Ministries (ZFPIM),Apostle Promise Momo, has called on Nigerians to shun ethnic bigotry and embrace love and unity to move the nation forward.
In an Easter message personally signed and shared with journalists in Lagos, Apostle Momo emphasized the need for Nigerians to see one another as brothers and sisters, regardless of ethnic differences.
“We must look for ways to unify the nation in love, because united we stand and divided we fall,” he said.
The cleric condemned acts of hatred, violence, and exploitation, stating, “It is not the will of God to see people killing each other or hating one another, cheating one another, taking advantage of people, or preying on the weak.”
He urged Nigerians to build a society grounded in love and unity, warning that progress would remain elusive without these values.
Reflecting on the significance of Easter, Apostle Momo described the holiday as a cornerstone of Christian faith.
“Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, is one of the most significant Christian holidays on the calendar,” he said.
“The day commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who resurrected after three days in the tomb.”
Quoting John 3:16, he added, “Jesus Christ is love personified… I want to see love come back to life amongst we Nigerians.”
The pastor’s message comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with ethnic tensions and social divisions, underscoring the urgency of his call for unity.
Says Leadership Not Contest Of Noise
Says Nigerian Leaders Should Prioritize Governance over Politics
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Most Rev Ignatius Kaigama has called on the Federal Government to address the challenges of insecurity, revive the economy, and restore the dignity of human lives because Nigeria is bleeding, people are hungry, unsafe and disillusioned.
According to him, as a people, the citizens must rise above despair, division, and violence and commit themselves to peace, justice, and truth.
“Our country is bleeding – our people are hungry, unsafe, and disillusioned. It is therefore imperative that politicians in government focus more on addressing the real challenges before us: ending insecurity, reviving the economy, and restoring the dignity of Nigerian lives”, he said
While describing the political tensions and institutional breakdown that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as “deeply troubling”, the cleric said that although government intervention in moments of crisis is sometimes necessary to restore order and protect democratic institutions, the government must be cautious in its reactions and avoid actions that could further polarize an already tense environment.
Kaigama said these in his Easter Message titled, “The Light Shines in the Darkness, and the Darkness Cannot Overcome It”, taken from John 1:5 and sent to Arise News in Abuja.
He said Easter is not just a Christian ritual—but a powerful reminder that light always follows darkness, and life prevails over death.
Kaigama said, “Yet, even as we celebrate, our hearts are heavy with grief and concern over the senseless bloodshed and insecurity that continue to plague our land.
We mourn the tragic and reckless killing of innocent travellers in Uromi, Edo State—lives cut short without reason or mercy.
“We grieve the repeated violence and massacres in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State, where entire communities are being decimated. These attacks have left families shattered and dreams destroyed, and they underscore the urgent need for a sincere and coordinated response to insecurity across Nigeria.
We are also alarmed by the continual hunger and economic hardship gripping our people. Families struggle daily to put food on the table, and children go to bed hungry in a nation so richly blessed.
“The desperation in the land is palpable, and it calls for immediate action from all levels of government, faith-based institutions, and citizens. As Jesus fed the multitudes with compassion, so must we work together to ensure that no Nigerian goes hungry in the midst of plenty.
“Equally distressing is the increasing trend of kidnapping and targeted attacks on clergy, especially priests who dedicate their lives to serving others. These brutal acts not only rob families of their loved ones but also strike at the heart of our moral and spiritual fabric. Every priest kidnapped or murdered is a blow to the conscience of our nation.
“In addition, the recent political tensions and institutional breakdown that led to the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State are deeply troubling. While government intervention in moments of crisis is sometimes necessary to restore order and protect democratic institutions, we must be cautious in our reactions and avoid actions that could further polarize an already tense environment.
“Let this moment serve as a call to all stakeholders – political leaders, traditional authorities, civil society, and citizens – to embrace dialogue over division. No democracy can thrive without the culture of give and take, live and let live.
Power, like life, is transient. Therefore, we must strive to build bridges and not burn them, to prioritize the welfare of the people over personal or party interests. Let us resist the temptation of inflammatory rhetoric and embrace peace, understanding, and mutual respect as the pathway to lasting stability.
“We must also be deeply concerned about the rising tide of acrimonious political rhetoric that is spreading across the nation. Words are powerful, and when used carelessly, they can inflame tensions and deepen our divisions. This is not yet the time for political campaigns or endless jostling for power.
Let us demand accountability and protection for every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, faith, or region.
He said since leadership is a sacred responsibility, not a contest of noise, Nigerian leaders should “prioritize governance over politics, solutions over slogans, and unity over personal ambition. Nigeria needs healing, not hostility.”
Kaigama said that in the face of the darkness that seems to surround Nigeria and envelop her lands, “we must not lose hope” as Easter teaches that even the tomb cannot hold back the power of resurrection.
“As a people, we must rise above despair, division, and violence. Let us commit ourselves to peace, justice, and truth. Let us demand accountability and protection for every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, faith, or region.
“This Easter, may the risen Christ ignite in us the courage to speak up against evil, the strength to support one another, and the wisdom to build a Nigeria where dignity and life are sacred once again. Let our celebration not just be of Christ’s resurrection, but of the renewal of our national spirit. May God bless Nigeria, and may peace reign in our hearts and across our land”, the cleric emphasized.
ENDS***
Zion Flames Prophetic and Intercessory Ministries, a Nigerian church, has extended its charitable outreach to Uganda, donating food items, diapers, and clothes to an orphanage in Kampala during Good Friday.
The gesture, aimed at sharing love with vulnerable children, underscores the church’s ongoing commitment to supporting disadvantaged communities across Africa.
Glory Momo, the church’s Director of Protocol and Communication Strategy, presented the items to the orphanage, emphasising the ministry’s five-year legacy of philanthropy.
“Our ministry has been known for charity work across Africa,” Momo said during the event.
In a statement issued to journalists on Sunday, he added, “We have reached out to less privileged communities, refugee communities, and provided scholarships to students in Nigeria and across Africa.”
The church’s mission, according to Momo, is divinely inspired.
“This is what God has called us to do as a church, and we will not relent. What you see us do here in Uganda is simply sharing love with those who need it most—children who have been abandoned.
“We will continue, as the Lord enables us, to show love across the continent and the world.”
This is not the first time Zion Flames Ministries International has supported vulnerable groups.
The church has a history of aiding disadvantaged communities in Nigeria, including hosting celebrations with orphans during the Christmas season.
The donation comes as part of the church’s broader efforts to uplift marginalised groups, with its leadership pledging to sustain such initiatives in Uganda and beyond.