The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has denied claims that France has access to Nigeria’s tax data, digital infrastructure, or operational control of its systems. This clarification comes after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) on December 10, 2025, aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s tax administration.
Key Points:
– _No Access to Tax Data_: France won’t have access to Nigerian tax data, digital systems, or operational control.
– _Technical Assistance Only_: The MoU is for technical assistance and capacity building, focusing on institutional strengthening, workforce development, and digital transformation guidance.
– _Nigerian Sovereignty Intact_: Nigeria retains full control over its tax administration, data, and policy direction.
– _Collaboration with Local Innovators_: FIRS continues to work with Nigerian tech providers like NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave.
The FIRS emphasizes that the agreement is advisory, non-intrusive, and mutually beneficial, designed to strengthen Nigeria’s tax administration as it transitions to the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) in January 2026.
