President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said that Nigeria’s new tax reforms are designed to correct the distortions of colonial-era fiscal laws, which he said created fragmentation, inconsistency, and economic hardship for citizens.
Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the commissioning of the 16-storey headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), President Tinubu said the reforms mark a shift toward a more inclusive, transparent, and investment-friendly tax system aimed at driving national prosperity.
The President explained that the new tax framework, which became fully operational in January, is intended to modernise Nigeria’s revenue system and make it globally competitive, while removing the limitations of outdated laws.
He described the reforms as part of his administration’s broader commitment to economic restructuring, noting that the government pledged from inception to address structural weaknesses and restore confidence in public institutions.
At the event were Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, ministers, lawmakers, private sector leaders, and governors including those of Kwara, Imo, Borno, Kogi, Plateau, and Anambra States.
President Tinubu commended the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, for delivering the 16-storey headquarters within 30 months, describing the project as a milestone in strengthening institutional capacity and efficiency.
He said the new facility, which accommodates 3,000 staff and includes modern infrastructure such as a data processing centre, clinic, auditorium, training rooms, gym, and library, reflects a renewed standard of public service delivery.
According to the President, no nation can achieve sustainable prosperity with a weak and fragmented revenue system, stressing that taxation must be fair, transparent, and efficient to earn public trust.
He also commended the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, for his role in modernising and simplifying Nigeria’s tax laws into a more coherent and understandable framework.
Tinubu assured Nigerians that the reforms are designed to simplify the system, eliminate distortions, and create a fair environment that rewards enterprise, supports growth, and improves national productivity.
He added that early results from the reforms are already visible, citing improved fiscal stability, stronger foreign reserves, increased investor confidence, and a more efficient trade ecosystem.
The President urged the NRS leadership to ensure that the institution not only collects revenue but also builds trust, promotes fairness, and demonstrates accountability to citizens.
In his remarks, Senate President Akpabio urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, noting that reforms are already yielding positive outcomes, including improved fuel availability and economic stability.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas described the reforms as a shift from fragmented legal frameworks to a unified and coherent revenue system, which he said is improving efficiency and public confidence.
The Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, described the headquarters commissioning as the culmination of major institutional reforms, noting that over 60 fragmented tax laws have been streamlined into a simplified framework.
He disclosed that Nigeria’s revenue collection rose significantly from N6.8 trillion five years ago to N28.7 trillion in 2025, attributing the growth to improved governance and reforms.
Adedeji also highlighted improvements in fiscal governance, including increased federation revenues, modernization of trade systems, and the launch of the National Single Window initiative to enhance efficiency.
The project contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Managing Director Guan Shuai praised President Tinubu’s leadership, describing the reforms as transformative and investment-friendly.