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The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has commended the Nigerian judiciary for its consistent, well-grounded tax rulings, describing them as vital to maintaining stability and fairness within the nation’s fiscal framework.
Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Judges of the Federal High Court on emerging tax laws, Adedeji praised the National Judicial Institute for organizing what he termed a “timely and crucial” initiative.
He noted that recent legislative reforms — including updates to the Finance Acts, the Petroleum Industry Act, and other tax-related laws — have significantly reshaped Nigeria’s fiscal environment. According to him, these changes necessitate stronger collaboration between the judiciary and tax authorities to ensure fair interpretation and effective enforcement of tax legislation.
“The judiciary, through its interpretative powers, remains the ultimate arbiter in balancing the legitimate powers of tax authorities with the rights of taxpayers,” Adedeji stated. “Your consistent and insightful judgments have enhanced stability, predictability, and fairness in tax administration.”
Adedeji further stressed that timely and coherent judicial decisions play a crucial role in promoting voluntary tax compliance, strengthening investor confidence, and supporting economic growth. “When tax disputes are resolved swiftly and transparently, it reinforces trust in the system and contributes to national revenue stability,” he added.
Reaffirming FIRS’s commitment to continuous collaboration with the judiciary, Adedeji highlighted the importance of ongoing knowledge exchange, technical cooperation, and stakeholder engagement. He also called attention to the growing complexities of taxation in the global digital economy, emphasizing the need for continuous judicial training to address emerging cross-border tax issues.
Concluding, the FIRS chairman expressed confidence that the insights gained from the workshop would further enhance the quality of judicial pronouncements and contribute to building a more efficient, equitable, and globally competitive tax system for Nigeria.
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