NRS Commended Over N3.6trn Revenue Growth

A coalition of civic and economic advocacy groups has commended the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) over what it described as a significant surge in revenue, attributing the growth to ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s public finance system.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the National President of the Coalition for Fiscal Justice, Economic Renewal and Public Accountability (COFJERPA), Clarus Nnaemeka, praised the leadership of the agency and its Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, for what he termed a “bold and disciplined re-engineering” of the country’s revenue framework.

The commendation followed disclosures by the Federal Government indicating that monthly revenue increased from N711 billion in May 2023 to N3.635 trillion by September 2025. Total collections, the coalition noted, also rose from N6.41 trillion in 2021 to N28.79 trillion in 2025.

Nnaemeka said the figures reflect the early impact of structural reforms aligned with the economic agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“For decades, Nigeria struggled with a narrow revenue base, systemic leakages, and weak tax compliance. What we are seeing now is a shift towards a more transparent, technology-driven, and accountability-focused system,” he said.

The coalition highlighted the expansion of the tax base to over 19 million taxpayers, including more than 800,000 corporate entities, as a major step toward formalising the economy and reducing dependence on oil revenues.

According to the group, improved revenue mobilisation is critical to expanding government capacity to invest in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social protection.

“When revenue is generated transparently, it creates the fiscal space needed to fund public goods. Over time, this translates into better roads, functional hospitals, improved schools, and targeted social interventions,” the statement said.

The coalition also noted that increased revenue could help reduce fiscal deficits and borrowing pressures, thereby supporting macroeconomic stability, stabilising the currency, and curbing inflation.

It further commended reforms aimed at improving fairness and efficiency in the tax system, noting that simplified processes and reduced distortions are likely to boost voluntary compliance and create a more business-friendly environment.

“A fair tax system encourages compliance and helps build a sustainable revenue culture where citizens see taxation as a civic responsibility tied to visible development,” Nnaemeka added.

However, the group cautioned that sustaining the gains would require policy consistency, strong oversight, and transparency in the utilisation of public funds.

“It is not enough to collect more revenue; government must also ensure that funds are efficiently and transparently deployed to build public trust,” the coalition stated.

The group urged the NRS to deepen engagement with taxpayers, strengthen enforcement against evasion, and continue leveraging digital tools to block leakages.

While acknowledging that challenges remain, the coalition maintained that Nigeria’s current revenue trajectory provides a credible pathway toward fiscal resilience and inclusive economic growth.

“What is emerging is the foundation of a new fiscal contract between the state and its citizens. If sustained, it holds the promise of aligning national prosperity with the everyday realities of Nigerians,” the statement added.