FIRS, EFCC unite to tackle tax evasion

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have renewed their alliance to deepen collaboration, strengthen Nigeria’s tax compliance framework, and protect public revenue from leakages.

During a courtesy visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, highlighted the importance of inter-agency synergy in building trust and sustaining Nigeria’s fiscal stability.

“We cannot pursue 200 million Nigerians individually to do the right thing, but we want to put a system in place that will aid compliance.

“You can help us by letting people know that when they violate the law, there is a place you can keep them. On behalf of the President and Nigerians, we thank you for your support and seek even deeper cooperation”, Adedeji said.

Adedeji stressed that voluntary compliance thrives when taxpayers see visible results from government spending.

“The main advertisement of voluntary compliance is when people begin to see what we use the money we collect for,” he explained. “In achieving that goal, you are critical—not just in arresting defaulters but in supporting our Department of Fraud Risk, Assessment and Control to ensure value for money.”

He attributed Nigeria’s ability to meet revenue targets to preventive strategies and collaborative efforts with sister agencies like the EFCC, describing the achievement as “a collective effort, not one by FIRS alone.”

Responding, EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, pledged unwavering support for the FIRS, noting that strong collaboration would send a powerful message to potential tax defaulters.

“Collaboration is very key. When they see EFCC beside FIRS, that will send a signal to the public that it is no longer business as usual,” he said.

Olukoyede also cited a recent Court of Appeal judgment affirming EFCC’s authority to investigate tax fraud as a significant boost to its mandate.

“We are not assessors of tax liabilities, but we can investigate non-compliance and push assessment issues back to you. Our duty remains prevention, investigation, and prosecution of financial crimes. Synergy is therefore essential.”

Both leaders pledged to consolidate their working relationship, reinforcing preventive measures and voluntary compliance as pillars of Nigeria’s tax system.