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In a strategic move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s fiscal architecture, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) have inaugurated a Joint Technical Committee to enhance tax compliance, streamline revenue monitoring, and reinforce fiscal sustainability across federal, state, and local governments.
The inauguration, held at the FIRS headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, marks a significant milestone in fostering institutional synergy between the two key agencies. The announcement was made in a statement issued Thursday by Sikiru Akinola, Technical Assistant on Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman.
Bimbo Kolade, Chairman of RMAFC’s Inland Revenue Monitoring Committee (IRMC), lauded the FIRS’s central role in sustaining government revenues, noting that tax collections now constitute the primary funding source for public finance.
“Tax revenue collected by FIRS has become indispensable in budget forecasting and project implementation at all levels of government,” Kolade stated. “In 2024 alone, FIRS-generated taxes accounted for approximately 65% of funds distributed among the three tiers, surpassing crude oil sales as Nigeria’s dominant revenue stream.”
He praised FIRS Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji for his impactful leadership since assuming office in September 2023, commending his handling of the recent tax reform bills and inter-agency tensions, including the VAT allocation debate. “It was through dialogue and the FIRS chairman’s diplomatic approach that we resolved the issue,” he remarked.
Kolade explained that the IRMC is tasked with monitoring all tax inflows into the Federation Account, including Value Added Tax (VAT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), and other federally collected revenues. “The committee ensures transparency and accountability in the tax collection and remittance process,” he added.
In his remarks, Dr. Adedeji framed the inauguration as a deepening of an existing strategic partnership. “FIRS is charged with non-oil revenue mobilisation, while RMAFC ensures these revenues are effectively monitored, accounted for, and equitably distributed,” he said.
Adedeji emphasized that their collaboration has already produced tangible benefits, particularly in the areas of data verification, joint monitoring exercises, and cross-agency information exchange. “Together, we’ve helped shape better fiscal policy, improved tax administration, and enhanced national revenue forecasting.”
As Nigeria seeks to transition from oil dependency to a diversified revenue model, Adedeji stressed the need to institutionalize this collaboration through a formal framework. He proposed regular strategy sessions, shared research initiatives, and integrated digital platforms to resolve overlapping functions and strengthen operational clarity.
“The goal is to define roles clearly, align institutional priorities, and drive innovation across both agencies,” he said. “With this framework, we can boost transparency, eliminate redundancies, and ultimately, deliver better value to the Nigerian people.”
This joint initiative represents a forward-looking approach to fiscal governance and reinforces the commitment of FIRS and RMAFC to Nigeria’s long-term economic resilience and regulatory integrity.
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