NEWS
Zacch Adedeji, New Tax Laws and the Transformation of FIRS
By Sikiru Akinola
This week, precisely 18th September, it will be 24 months since Zacch Adedeji (PhD) assumed office as the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). His appointment came at a critical time when Nigeria desperately needed revenue to fund projects that would bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians who invested so much hope in the President Bola Tinubu-led administration by voting him in as the head of state.
In January 2024, at the first management retreat he presided over, four months after taking office, Adedeji revealed his plan to reform the operations of the revenue agency with a view to removing hurdles in the way of taxpayers and consequently improving tax revenue collection in the country. The plan he revealed was simple: transform the agency’s values to make it taxpayer-centric. This followed a 107 per cent performance over the set goal in 2023, where FIRS collected ₦12.37 trillion, exceeding its target of ₦11.56 trillion. The following year, FIRS exceeded its target of ₦19.4 trillion, realising a total of ₦21.7 trillion. This year, it has a target of ₦25.2 trillion and with the figures showing on the dashboard so far, the agency is on track to surpass it and further break its own record.The factors responsible for these successes can be traced to the many initiatives that Adedeji has introduced since he took over the affairs of the country’s revenue collection agency. Without being prompted and apparently to boost the morale of staff members of FIRS, Adedeji, in April 2024, after deliberating with his other team members at the management level, announced a 60 per cent increment in the salary of the agency’s workers.This elicited wild jubilation from the entire workforce, including their union leaders, who were surprised due to the unprecedented attitude that Adedeji has shown for workers’ welfare since coming on board. All the other welfare packages are being attended to as and when due – a development that has led to enhanced productivity among the staff members.To display its customer-centricity and enhance the ease of doing business, the Service launched a USSD code, *829#, aimed at improving taxpayers’ satisfaction. What this does basically is that it allows taxpayers to access various tax services directly from their mobile phones, without needing internet access.This was in addition to the various improvements done to the agency’s tax administration platform called the TaxProMax. The FIRS also recently introduced the Merchant-Buyer solution, popularly known as e-invoicing. Within the first two weeks of its adoption last month, over 1,000 of the over 5,000 eligible large taxpayers – firms with annual turnover of ₦5 billion and above – have keyed in.To block leakages occasioned by illicit financial flows (IFFs) and bring more revenue into the coffers from multinational corporations, FIRS under Adedeji recently organised a two-day conference on the issue. This became imperative as Nigeria, according to available data, loses $18 billion annually to IFFs due to profit shifting and aggressive tax avoidance practices by some multinational corporations transacting businesses in Nigeria.How to strengthen compliance mechanisms, enhance beneficial ownership transparency, and leveraging technology to detect and deter tax evasion, trade mispricing, and other illicit outflows, were discussed at the event put together by the Proceeds of Crime Management and Illicit Financial Flows Coordinating Directorate (POCM-IFF) in FIRS.Close to tackling the above is the National Single Window (NSW) project of the Federal Government. This initiative is domiciled in FIRS. It was observed that bureaucratic processes involved in import and export processes have led to long waiting times at the ports, which is a disincentive to Foreign Direct Investment.NSW was introduced to tackle this challenge. When it enters full operation by the second quarter of 2026, the ultimate goal of the initiative, which is trade facilitation, is expected to be met, while also optimising revenue generation, in addition to enhancing the ease of doing business in the countryBeyond his schedule at FIRS, some assignments naturally fell on his lap and one of such was his leadership of the sub-committee of the Federal Executive Council initiative on Domestic Sale of Crude Oil and Refined Products in Naira.To ensure supply stability and optimise the utilisation of local refining capacity, his committee was tasked with ensuring the sale of crude oil in naira, for domestic refining remains in force. To the glory of God, Nigerians are now seeing the gain. There are no more queues at fuel stations, and prices have almost stabilised, for the first time in many years. Petrol price is also gradually coming down.The most challenging of all the tasks Adedeji has carried out at FIRS is the tax reform. The four tax bills he introduced were subjected to all forms of drilling. He had to go out to defend the misconception associated with the bills.These new tax laws are a game-changer designed to usher in a new era of fairer taxation and economic revival for our country. For the first time in living memory, low‑income households, small businesses, and renters receive deliberate relief, made real through statutory thresholds and progressive rates, making the tax reforms one of the most pro-Nigerian initiatives ever.When the new laws go full throttle from next year, there will be immediate relief for the majority of Nigerians who earn significantly low income. They do this through three means. The first means is that the new laws exempt individuals earning ₦800,000 or less per annum from personal income tax, effectively removing payroll tax from the vast majority of wage earners.By virtue of the new laws, Nigerians who earn below the minimum wage are almost certainly exempted from paying tax, thereby increasing the disposable income available to them to meet their daily needs.Adedeji, who is primarily concerned about businesses thriving, has always echoed the mantra of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is that FIRS will only tax the fruits and not the seeds. In fact, when he first assumed office, he had to allay fears expressed by corporate organisations that the resolve of FIRS to increase the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio to 18 percent from 10.86 per cent will lead to increase in taxes.According to him, such resolve would not necessarily lead to increase in taxes or introduction of new taxes, as the President Tinubu-led administration is determined to create a wholesome environment for businesses to flourish. Another area where FIRS, under him, expressed love to Nigerians, was the setting aside of a percentage of its target to support the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).If Adedeji’s leadership of FIRS in just two years can bring all these goodies, the next two years can only bring greater efficiency to the country’s tax administration and consequently immense benefits to businesses and the Federation. The morning, they say, shows the day.There is no way Adedeji would have been able to achieve these lofty things without the support from the President. In fact, President Tinubu made the journey to record increase in tax revenue collection easier by setting right the economic fundamentals, namely removing subsidy from petrol and collapsing the hitherto dual exchange rates.These policies have made more money available for the federal, state and local governments. They smile to the bank monthly due largely to increase in tax revenue collection which is responsible for about 70 per cent of what is shared monthly.Sikiru Akinola, the Technical Assistant to the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), writes from Abuja.
No fewer than 5,000 intending Nigerian immigrants to the United States may be delayed following the new visa restrictions imposed on Nigeria and 74 other countries by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.
Data from the US consulate in Lagos show that 5,626 immigrant visas were issued in 2023, up from 4,219 in 2022—an increase of 1,407 visas within a year.
An analysis indicates that at least 5,000 immigrant visas granted to Nigerians annually could be affected by the latest measure, which seeks to restrict the entry of foreigners intending to live in the United States.
Additionally, a total of 70,621 Nigerians were issued U.S. immigrant and non-immigrant visas in 2024.
A breakdown reveals that 63,313 non-immigrant visas were issued to Nigerians, with Abuja accounting for 30,222, while 33,091 were issued in Lagos. Also, 7,308 persons obtained US immigrant visas during the period.
Confirming the development, a State Department spokesperson said, “The State Department is pausing immigrant visa processing for 75 countries.”
The pause will begin on January 21 and will continue indefinitely until the review is complete.
The policy forms part of a wider entry suspension affecting countries regarded by Washington as posing screening and vetting difficulties or producing migrants who rely excessively on public benefits.
The latest development comes barely a week after the Trump administration imposed a visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 on nationals from 38 countries, including Nigeria, effective January 21, 2026.
The policy targets countries with high visa overstay rates and security concerns.
The State Department in a post on X on Wednesday announced the pause of immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, which it claimed the migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates.
The post read, “The State Department will pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates. The freeze will remain active until the U.S. can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.
‘’The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea – whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival. We are working to ensure the generosity
The affected countries include 27 African countries, 22 Asian countries, 8 European countries, 13 North American and Caribbean countries, three South American countries and one Oceania.
They are Algeria, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda and Yemen.
Others are Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, Cambodia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Syria, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
Also on the list are Albania, Belarus, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenadines, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay and Fiji.
State Department data show that global immigrant visa issuance climbed to 612,258 in 2024, up from 562,976 in 2023. Non-immigrant visa issuance also rose from 10,438,327 in 2023 to 10,969,936 in 2024.
The report further puts the global migrant visa issuance at 240,526 for the year 2020; 285,069 in 2021; 493,448 in 2022; 562,976 in 2023, and 612,258 in 2024.
Non-immigrant categories for 2020 were recorded as 4,013,210; 2, 792,083 for 2021; 6,815,120 in 2022; 10,438,327 in 2023, while 10,969,936 were recorded in 2024.
Meanwhile, in December, the US previously announced a partial visa ban on Nigeria alongside other countries.
In relation to Nigeria, the US policy cited persistent security challenges and overstays on temporary visas.
Referencing radical extremist activity in parts of the country, the proclamation stated that such conditions “create substantial screening and vetting difficulties. “It also referenced overstay rates contained in US government reports.
Consequently, the proclamation ordered that “the entry into the United States of nationals of Nigeria as immigrants, and as non-immigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.”
It further directed consular officers to reduce the validity period for any other non-immigrant visas issued to Nigerian nationals.
The State Department stressed that visas already issued before the effective date of the proclamation would not be revoked under the new policy.
However, Nigerians outside the United States without valid visas at the time of implementation would be directly affected by the entry suspension.
Reacting to the restriction, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, described the sweeping ban as a contradiction of America’s long-standing advocacy for the free movement of people and ideas.
He criticised the scale of the measure, stating that it is unbecoming to ban 75 countries’ citizens from travelling to the United States.
According to him, “Migration and immigration are as old as the human race, and for the US under Donald Trump to begin to rev up the anti-migration, anti-immigration policies which we are witnessing now is not helping to solve matters as far as human-to-human contacts are concerned.”
Ex-Ambassador Godknows Igali acknowledged Washington’s sovereign right to set its immigration policies, but urged the US to weigh the implications for bilateral relations.
He emphasised Nigerians’ positive contributions to US society, noting, “Nigerians have given a good account of themselves in the US, very disciplined, very hardworking. Almost all Nigerians are doing very well in the US. So, they are not a liability to the system.”
He urged sustained diplomacy, saying, “We advise the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to sustain discussion with them so that Nigeria can be removed from that list.”
Foreign affairs analyst Charles Onunaiju said the latest restriction reflects a deeper shift in US domestic politics and global posture.
“If you look at the United States and see what’s going on there with the so-called ICE picking up people in the streets, you could see chaos in US cities with these issues about immigration. So, it is not a surprise the extent to which the United States could go,” he said.
Onunaiju warned that the present period “is not a normal time” in US foreign relations, observing that even close allies have been affected
“Recently, the United States imposed a visa ban on key European officials. So, I think the worst has not happened yet. There could be more tightening. People should anticipate that. Trump campaigned and won on the basis of extremist anti-immigration posturing, and he is leveraging that.”
He added that Nigerians should “prepare for the worst”, stressing that the US President had recently stated that he did not recognise international law and was guided only by his “private morality.”
“We have to acknowledge that this is not a normal time and anything is possible between the United States and the rest of the world.”
Ex-ambassador Rasheed Akinkoulie observed that the sweeping ban did not apply to Nigerians applying for visas, arguing that the conditions are simply more stringent, citing the $15,000 visa bond.
‘’Government officials and diplomats who have to travel to the USA are still granted visas without any problem.”
The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) said Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano does not need Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso’s endorsement to join the APC or any other party of his choice.
The party also stated that the governor did not need Kwankwaso’s approval to remain in the NNPP.
Recall that Yusuf is the NNPP sole governor whilst Kwankwaso is the party’s 2023 presidential candidate who was later expelled for alleged anti-party activities.
The NNPP statement was coming on the background of a statement by Kwankwaso’s Spokesman, Ladipo Johnson that his principal has not endorsed Yusuf’s defection to the APC as reported.
Johnson in a statement on Sunday night, described a breaking news that Kwankwaso has reversed his position to endorse Yusuf’s defection as false.
Johnson had alleged that those seeking to move from the NNPP were responsible for misinforming the people on Kwankwaso’s stand.
The NNPP through its National Secretary, Ogini Olaposi in Lagos on Monday, reiterated that the Kano governor as the party’s sole governor and Leader, does not need Kwankwaso’s approval to join the ruling party.
“Whilst we advise the governor to remain in the NNPP, we also understand that it is within his constitutional rights to join any party of his choice due to escalating legal battles.
“NNPP do not have any misgivings against any political party, including the APC and so cannot forcefully demand that its governor must remain in the party.
“If the governor had made up his mind to leave the NNPP, no dictatorial tendencies and blackmail could stop him.
“Yusuf has been doing well as the governor of Kano state and we will not be a stumbling block on his path by insisting he remains in the NNPP against his will,” Olaposi stated.
He reiterated that Kwankwaso and his Kwankwasiya Movement should stop distracting the governor and should allow him to continue his good works in Kano.
“What Kwankwaso has failed to tell us is if his stand on the governor’s alleged planned defection is out of godfatherism or he has personal issues against the ruling party.
“Whatever misgiving he has against the APC should remain personal and should not be forced on others wishing to join the party,’ he added.
Reacting to Johnson’s allegation that Kwankwaso described the impending move by some members of the Kwankwasiya movement and NNPP led by Yusuf, as a cold betrayal of trust and mandate given to him, the party said it is just nemesis.
“Kwankwaso and his group now know how betrayal feels, when he tried to hijack a party that gave him a platform to contest election for free in 2023.
“We will remain in support of the Kano state governor and any decision he takes but still advise and encourage him to have a rethink and remain with the NNPP.
“Kwankwaso remains expelled from the NNPP for the good of the party and members.”
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
No fewer than 24 parishioners abducted from a branch of Ecclesiastical Church Winning All(ECWA) Church at Àyetoro-Kiri in Kabba/ Bunu Local Government Area of Kogi state last month have regained freedom.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits stormed the Church on December 14, 2025, and kidnapped about 37 parishioners.
The victims including elderly women, men and teenagers were abducted during the raid.
Since the incident, the community leaders and the families of the victims have been engaging their abductors to secure their release.
According to the community youth leader, Daniel Friday, 17 of the abducted parishioners were released on Tuesday to reunite with their families.
A source from the community, who sought anonymity said, “On January 1, 2026, seven of the abductees were released after prolonged negotiations and the payment of a huge sum of money, running into millions to their assailants.
“Of the seven, four were released alive, while three were confirmed dead; two died before release and one died in the hospital, while receiving treatment.
“Thereafter, negotiations continued, leading to the release of three more victims on Monday, December 12, 2026, and a further 14 victims on Tuesday, December 13, 2026, bringing the number of released abducted parishioners to 24 out of 37.”
The source further hinted that the Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association, working alongside the affected families, secured the release of the abducted parishioners.
The source from the community added, “The latest release brings renewed hope to the community, though it came at significant financial cost”, describing the process as involving a “painful sacrifice of huge resources.”
The Aiyetoro Kiri Bunu Development Association reaffirmed its commitment to securing the freedom of the remaining 13 abductees, calling for continued prayers and support from the public.
Residents of the community on Wednesday appealed for urgent assistance to ensure the safe return of those still being held by their assailants.
Efforts made to confirm the development from Kogi state police command and the state government were unsuccessful as inquiries in both text message and calls were not responded to as at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, according to a report from the community, arrangements are underway to ferry the released parishioners to a hospital in Kabba for medical attention.
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