By 
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has cautioned taxpayers against attempting to conceal transactions under the newly launched National E-Invoicing Solution (Merchant-Buyer Model), warning that monitoring capabilities have now been significantly strengthened.
The warning was issued during a two-day post-launch workshop for large taxpayers in Lagos.
The National E-Invoicing Solution digitally records transactions between suppliers and buyers, replacing paper or traditional electronic documents such as invoices, credit notes, and debit notes. It captures all key details — including supplier and buyer information, item descriptions, quantities, prices, tax, and total amounts — and enables real-time or near-real-time validation and storage of transactions.
Speaking at the workshop, FIRS Acting Director of Tax Automation, Mike Adoga, stressed that the new system would improve transparency and compliance.
“FIRS is ensuring that every invoice gets a reference number as part of this initiative. Our role at the Tax Automation Department is to provide the digital tools that make tax administration seamless,” Adoga said.
“If any taxpayer is tempted not to declare all invoices on the platform, that won’t be a good idea. Payment gateways have also been mandated to report every payment processed through them. This makes it essential for taxpayers to fully utilise the e-invoicing system.”
Representing the Chief of Staff to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Eze, Director of Change Management, explained that the workshop was aimed at providing practical guidance on taxpayer enablement, system integration, and return invoice transmission.
He also announced an extension of the onboarding deadline:
“In recognition of the ongoing onboarding journey, FIRS has approved a three-month extension for integration and transmission, now set for November 1, 2025. This is not an opportunity for delay but a chance for stakeholders to complete test transmissions and address system readiness issues ahead of enforcement.”
Eze added that FIRS would continue to support taxpayers with technical services, sector-focused engagement sessions, and partnerships with designated service providers to fast-track integration.
On customer support, FIRS Project Manager for e-Invoicing, Mohammed Bawa, noted that efforts were underway to decentralise the support centre.
“We are expanding and decentralising our support channels so that every tax office is equipped with the knowledge and information taxpayers need, particularly at this critical stage,” he said.
To aid onboarding, FIRS has engaged 16 technology service providers, including Pasca Technology Limited, Hoptool Technology Limited, Etranzact International Plc, Telepac Africa Nigeria Limited, Cryptware System Limited, Namiri Technology Nigeria Limited, Ace of Spades Consult Nigeria Limited, Jureb Business Solutions Limited, Qucoon Limited, Courteville Business Solutions, Softrust Technologies Limited, Westmetro Limited, Arca Payments Company Limited, Elara Technical Services Ltd, Interswitch Limited, and Remita Payment Limited.
Comments