Nigeria, France strengthen tax collaboration amid major institutional reform
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Zacch Adedeji, on Tuesday welcomed a delegation from France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFIP), led by Amelie Verdier, at the FIRS Headquarters in Abuja.
The visit marks a significant milestone in the growing partnership between Nigeria and France in tax administration.
The meeting took place during a pivotal transition period, as Nigeria shifts from the FIRS to the newly established Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), reflecting broader reforms under the new Finance and Revenue laws. This institutional change aims to modernize and improve the country’s tax system.
In a statement, the FIRS highlighted the importance of the visit, “The meeting underscored FIRS’s commitment to building a data-driven, service-oriented revenue institution and learning from international best practices such as those of DGFIP.”
According to the statement, major highlights from the visit reveal a shared commitment between Nigerian authorities and their French counterparts to build a modern, data-driven, and service-oriented tax authority.
The French General Directorate of Public Finances (DGFIP) was recognized for its expertise in risk-based compliance, digital taxation, and taxpayer education—areas identified as exemplary models to inform Nigeria’s ongoing reform efforts.
The collaboration was further strengthened through enhanced diplomatic and technical cooperation, facilitated by the French Embassy in Nigeria. Both parties agreed on future joint initiatives, including collaborative training programs, deployment of advanced digital tax tools, implementation of green taxation policies, and development of French language capacity among Nigerian tax officials.
Adedeji emphasised the significance of international cooperation in achieving a more efficient and inclusive tax system stating, “Technical cooperation, digital innovation, and mutual respect are essential to building tax systems that are globally aligned and responsive to the needs of our citizens.”
