The Federal Inland Revenue Service has responded to online claims suggesting that its new Memorandum of Understanding with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques will expose Nigerian taxpayers’ data to foreign control.
In a statement issued by Dr. Umar Ahmed, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, FIRS made it clear that the agreement is strictly for technical support and capacity building, not data access or system control. According to the Service, no foreign body has been granted entry into Nigeria’s tax database, digital infrastructure, or internal operations, PM News reported.
FIRS explained that all Nigerian data protection and cybersecurity laws remain intact, and the MoU itself contains firm confidentiality provisions.
The agency also shed light on why it chose to partner with DGFiP, describing it as one of the world’s most advanced tax administrations, with more than 100 years of institutional experience and over 90,000 professionals. The collaboration, FIRS said, offers Nigeria access to global best practices in digital tax systems, governance, tax policy, and public finance management.
FIRS emphasised that the partnership is advisory and non-intrusive and will support its transition into the Nigerian Revenue Service. It is designed to strengthen workforce development, digital transformation, and policy modernization while leaving Nigeria fully in charge of its tax systems.
The Service also dismissed concerns that the MoU would sideline local tech providers, noting that it continues to work with Nigerian platforms such as NIBSS, Interswitch, Paystack, and Flutterwave. The agreement, it stressed, is not a contract for technical service delivery but a knowledge-sharing arrangement.
FIRS urged the public to engage in informed discussions, stating that the MoU is aimed at modernising tax administration and improving long-term economic resilience—not handing over national systems to foreign entities.
The agency reaffirmed that Nigeria retains complete control over its tax data, digital infrastructure, and policy direction.
