The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) on Wednesday formalised a new partnership with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques as part of preparations for its transition to the Nigerian Revenue Service next month.
At a ceremony held at the French Embassy in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, and the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) covering digital transformation, workforce development and international taxation.
Adedeji said the agreement demonstrated “a shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient, and more forward-looking tax administrations.”
He identified digital transformation as a central area of cooperation, noting that Nigeria intends to learn from France’s “advanced use of technology in compliance management, taxpayer services, and data-driven enforcement.”
He said France would also gain from Nigeria’s experience with a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.
“France will in return gain fresh perspectives from Nigeria’s rapid digital expansion, our agile adoption of new tools, and the unique solutions we are developing for a fast-growing, technology-driven population,” he said.
Adedeji described the exchange as important for navigating emerging issues such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and cross-border taxation. He added that the partnership would guide engagement with more international counterparts as the tax service deepens reforms.
The FIRS chairman also highlighted workforce development as a priority.
“While we look forward to learning from France’s well-structured human capital systems, particularly in professional standards, continuous learning, and organisational discipline, we also believe that our experience in managing a young, dynamic and diverse workforce will offer valuable insights to DGFIP,” he said.
He noted that both countries expect closer cooperation on international taxation, exchange of information, transfer pricing and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting work.
“As economic activities become increasingly borderless, the ability of both our institutions to collaborate, share intelligence, and harmonise approaches will be crucial,” he said.
Adedeji said the partnership would support Nigeria’s shift to the new revenue administration structure.
“As Nigeria moves into the era of the Nigerian Revenue Service, we see this partnership as a cornerstone of our transformation, one that will help us build a revenue administration that is modern, trusted, innovative, and globally connected,” he said.
