The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has commended the country’s highest and most compliant taxpayers.
Executive Chairman of the FIRS, Muhammad Nami during his opening remarks at the 2nd Annual National Tax Dialogue with the theme: “Tax Harmonisation for Enhanced Revenue Generation”, recognized the top taxpayers in the country.
The Tax Authority said MTN Nigeria, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria, Northern Cables Processing and Manufacturing Company (NOCACO), Airtel Africa and Chevron Limited were the top 5 taxpayers in the country. Mr Nami called for all hands to be on deck to support the tax system and make it function efficiently. He also urged politicians to treat tax revenue generation as an apolitical issue. Furthermore, he added that it had become clear that the survival of the nation is dependent on tax revenue.
“All hands must be on deck to support the tax system and make it function efficiently. However, it is surprising that some people have begun to play politics with tax revenue generation. We humbly invite the President to step-in to dissuade political tax gladiators to sheath their swords. Tax revenue is an inherently apolitical issue; it should be treated as such by all, irrespective of their political leaning.”
READ MORE: NBS Says 24 States Attracted Zero Foreign Investments in 2021
The FIRS boss further highlighted how the agency was able to record an unprecedented feat in tax revenue generation in 2021. He added that the agency collected N6.4 trillion, the highest collection ever in the history of the FIRS.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajia (Dr.) Zainab Ahmed also highlighted the importance of the National Tax Dialogue, stating that it was designed to engage stakeholders in the Nigerian tax-space in meaningful discourse so as to glean information, ideas and experience in the aid of policy formulation and improved tax environment.
“We have observed that countries having lower economy and fewer tax base but streamlined tax administration has fared much better than Nigeria in terms of tax revenue collection; and ratio of tax-to-GDP” She explained.
“The goal for this year’s National Tax Dialogue is, therefore, to kick-start the discussion for the harmonisation of the fragmented tax systems into a coherent whole for improved tax revenue collection for all the governments in the Federation.”
