Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service has intensified collaboration with major security agencies as the country prepares to begin the National Revenue Service Act on January 1, 2026. The agency said stronger cooperation is essential to curb tax evasion and protect national revenue assets.
Speaking at a multi agency meeting in Lagos on Tuesday, the Head of the FIRS Special Enforcement Division, CSP Kyes Bakfur, said the shift to a new revenue framework demands “deepened cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated field operations” across all security institutions.
Bakfur explained that the Special Enforcement Division has continued to safeguard FIRS facilities nationwide and lead investigations into tax related offences.
He said, “This year alone, our division has successfully executed enforcement operations that contributed to the broader revenue collection effort of FIRS.”
He added that stronger synergy is required with agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Financial Intelligence Unit and the Federal Special Unit because modern tax enforcement relies heavily on shared information.
“Our expectation is a much more symbiotic relationship,” he told journalists.
“The main aim of this parley was to make sure that security agencies that handle tax evasion can work together with us to create a much more robust agenda for tax enforcement across Nigeria.”
Responding to questions about equipment and logistics, Bakfur assured participants that the gaps are being resolved. He said, “The Executive Chairman of the FIRS has been able to address that one for us.”
A consultant to the FIRS, Mr Oladipo Olayemi, said the session focused on building joint capacity rather than drawing attention to internal challenges.
He said, “We have sensitised the security agencies on how to create a collaborative synergy with the FIRS. More revenue generated means more funds will be given to the security outfit for us all to live in a safe environment.”
Olayemi noted issues such as bribery or inter agency misconduct but said the priority is on solutions. He added, “We are not dwelling on the negative side. We are looking at where we go from here and how we work together to ensure security is provided and revenue is generated adequately.”
He warned that insecurity, including smuggling, illegal mining, oil theft, cyber enabled fraud and illicit financial flows, continues to weaken national revenue.
He said, “Intelligence is key. We can help them discover every tax evasion network,” calling for joint taskforces, coordinated compliance operations and better information sharing.
Olayemi stressed the strong link between security and effective taxation. He said, “It takes a secure environment before revenue authorities can actually do their job. We must see ourselves as collaborators so the channel of revenue generation will not be disrupted.”
