CLARIFICATION ON THE FIRS–DGFiP MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
12th December 2025
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has noted recent publications and social media commentary expressing concerns regarding the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) recently signed with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP). While FIRS appreciates the public interest and patriotic concern, it is important to clarify that the MoU is a strictly technical assistant and capacity-building framework. At no point does it grant France access to Nigerian tax data, digital infrastructure, or operational control of our systems. All Nigerian laws regarding data protection, sovereignty, and cybersecurity remain fully in force, and the MoU includes robust confidentiality and data protection provisions.
The DGFiP is one of the world’s most sophisticated tax administrations, with over 100 years of institutional experience, a workforce exceeding 90,000 professionals, and globally recognized expertise in digital tax systems, institutional governance, taxpayer services, and public finance management. This partnership is advisory, non-intrusive, and mutually beneficial, designed to strengthen FIRS’ institutional capacity as it transitions into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS). The collaboration provides Nigeria with a unique opportunity to learn from international best practices in workforce management, digital transformation, tax policy development, and regional cooperation, while ensuring that Nigeria retains full control over its tax administration and data.
Contrary to suggestions in some quarters that local technology providers are being sidelined, FIRS continues to engage and collaborate with Nigerian innovators, including NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave. The MoU is not intended to deliver technical services, but rather to provide capacity-building, advisory support, and knowledge sharing based on DGFiP’s extensive institutional experience. The collaboration focuses on institutional strengthening, workforce development, digital transformation guidance, taxpayer education, policy modernization, and regional integration—all fully aligned with Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interests.
FIRS welcomes informed public discourse on tax reforms, but it is critical that such discussions accurately reflect the content and intent of the MoU. Far from compromising national control, this agreement represents a strategic initiative to modernize Nigeria’s tax administration, enhance institutional capacity, and strengthen the country’s long-term economic resilience. Nigeria remains fully in command of its tax systems, data, and policy direction. FIRS remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration in the pursuit of national development.
E-signed
Dr Umar Ahmed
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs,
Federal Inland Revenue Service
“Nigeria And France Have Signed An Agreement To Collaborate On Tax Collection And Compliance Monitoring Using France’s Tax System And Technology. France Will Now Be Assisting Nigeria In Its Tax Collection.”- Oralvault