Nigeria’s Security Agencies Tighten Ranks With FIRS Ahead Of New National Revenue Service Regime.

By Godson Ikoro

Nigeria’s security architecture is being recalibrated ahead of the January 1, 2026 rollout of the National Revenue Service (NRS) Act, as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) deepens collaboration with law-enforcement bodies to curb tax evasion and safeguard national revenue assets.

At a multi-agency engagement in Lagos on during, the Head of the FIRS Special Enforcement Division, CSP Kyes Bakfur, underscored the urgency of strengthened cooperation as the country transitions to the new revenue framework.

He averred that emerging landscape demands “deepened cooperation, intelligence sharing and coordinated field operations” across all security formations.

Bakfur noted that the Special Enforcement ¹Division continues to play a pivotal role in securing FIRS facilities nationwide while leading investigations into tax-related criminal activity.

“This year alone, our division has successfully executed enforcement operations that contributed to the broader revenue collection effort of FIRS,” he said, stressing that agencies such as the EFCC, FIU, and the Federal Special Unit must work more closely with the revenue authority as modern tax enforcement relies heavily on shared intelligence.

“The main aim of this parley was to make sure that security agencies that handle tax evasion can work together with us to create a much more robust agenda for tax enforcement across Nigeria,” he added.

Addressing concerns over logistical constraints, Bakfur assured participants that the FIRS leadership was already tackling the issues. “The Executive Chairman of the FIRS has been able to address that one for us,” he said.

A consultant to the FIRS, Mr. Oladipo Olayemi, explained that the session sought to bolster institutional synergy rather than highlight internal challenges. He emphasised that stronger cooperation ultimately benefits both security and revenue outcomes. “More revenue generated means more funds will be given to the security outfit for us all to live in a safe environment,” he said.

While acknowledging challenges such as bribery and inter-agency misconduct, Olayemi maintained that the priority should be collective advancement. “We’re not dwelling on the negative side; we’re looking at where we go from here and how we work together to ensure security is provided and revenue is generated adequately.”

Presenting a paper on inter-agency collaboration, he warned that insecurity—ranging from smuggling and illegal mining to oil theft, cyber-enabled fraud, and illicit financial flows—continues to erode government revenue. He called for joint taskforces, coordinated compliance operation,s and stronger information-sharing mechanisms. “Intelligence is key. We can help them discover every tax evasion network,” he said.

Olayemi reiterated that security and taxation are inseparable. “It takes a secure environment before revenue authorities can actually do their job,” he noted. “We must see ourselves as collaborators so the channel of revenue generation will not be disrupted.”

— Culled from dailypost.ng