The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has emphasized the need to empower Nigerians—particularly young people—before implementing taxation measures, noting that a skilled and productive population forms the bedrock of sustainable national prosperity.
Executive Chairman of the Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji reportedly made remarks at the Career Acceleration Summit held in Abuja on Saturday. Represented by Olufemi Olarinde, Head of the Fiscal and Tax Reforms Implementation Division and Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman on Tax Policy, Adedeji said the Service’s approach to tax administration is rooted in the principle of people-first development.
“At FIRS, we believe in people, technology, and process. Empowerment of the people is what leads to prosperity. The government has emphasised that we should be taxing the fruits, not the seeds—meaning that people must first be empowered and productive before taxation can have true justification,” Olarinde said.
He explained that taxation should follow productivity and wealth creation, rather than precede them, adding that building human capacity is essential for inclusive growth and national development. According to him, a country cannot tax poverty; it can only tax prosperity.
Olarinde noted that the FIRS remains committed to promoting initiatives that improve employability, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship among young Nigerians. He said this commitment aligns with the agency’s broader reform agenda under Dr. Adedeji, which emphasizes efficiency, innovation, and public trust.
“The FIRS strongly supports programs that enhance career development and create an enabling environment for citizens to thrive,” he said, adding that the Service’s partnership with the summit underscores its belief that human capital is Nigeria’s most valuable asset.
He further reiterated that FIRS’s operational philosophy revolves around the trio of people, technology, and process — a strategy that seeks to modernize tax administration, simplify compliance, and make taxation more citizen-friendly.
The summit, which brought together government officials, private sector leaders, and youth professionals, focused on developing pathways for young Nigerians to accelerate their careers and contribute meaningfully to national growth.
Olarinde said FIRS’s participation in the event reflects its recognition that empowering the youth is not only a social obligation but also a fiscal imperative for building a sustainable tax system that supports Nigeria’s long-term prosperity.
