FIRS Entering New Era Of Excellence, Trust – Adedeji

Executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has welcomed a new batch of employees into the agency, saying the agency is entering a new chapter of service excellence public trust. The resumption of the new workers marks the culmination of a recruitment process into the tax watchdog under his watch.

He said the induction of the new recruits followed a rigorous nationwide selection process under the “Work With Us” initiative — a cornerstone of Adedeji’s vision to transform FIRS into a high-performing, people-driven organisation capable of driving Nigeria’s economic resilience.

Speaking at the formal induction ceremony on Monday, the FIRS chairman reportedly described the recruits as “co-architects of our unfolding future,” urging them to see their new roles not merely as jobs but as critical contributions to national development.

“Today does not simply mark the commencement of your employment,” Dr. Adedeji said, according to a statement that was issued by his special adviser on communications and advocacy, Collins Omokaro.

“It signals the beginning of a profound personal and national journey — one where your talents, dedication, and values will directly strengthen Nigeria’s fiscal stability and advance our collective developmental aspirations.”

He emphasised that the ongoing transformation within FIRS rests on three interdependent pillars — People, Processes, and Technology — with human capital at the core. According to him, even the best tools are powerless without competent individuals to deploy them.

“Technology is not a substitute for competence,” he stated. “It is a catalyst that will empower us to execute our duties with precision, speed, and impact.”

Adedeji reiterated his commitment to institutional capacity-building, noting that upon assuming office, he set a target for 80 percent of FIRS work to be executed by in-house staff — a move aimed at reducing dependency on external consultants and enhancing institutional integrity.

The recruitment exercise that led to the current induction was intentionally structured to be fair, inclusive, and merit-based. The application process attracted thousands of entries nationwide and was followed by a comprehensive digital screening phase. Top-performing candidates progressed to virtual interviews conducted across 10 coordinated rooms, with FIRS senior leadership directly involved in the assessment.

Candidates were evaluated on both technical competence and alignment with the Service’s core values of integrity, accountability, and national service.

“This exercise has proven that government recruitment can be transparent, competitive, and values-driven,” Adedeji noted.

The induction programme aims to provide the recruits with a solid foundation in tax administration, digital systems, and public service ethics. It also includes modules on the FIRS 2025 Roadmap — a strategic blueprint designed to reposition the agency as a critical driver of national economic growth.

Adedeji challenged the new employees to embrace the Service’s evolving role not just as a revenue collector but as a strategic enabler of Nigeria’s economic resilience.

“FIRS is becoming a trusted partner to businesses and a responsible steward of Nigeria’s financial architecture,” he said. “You are not here to warm seats. You are here to lead a new chapter.”

The chairman quoted a Yoruba proverb: “A child not well-educated will sell the house built.” He used the saying to underscore the importance of investing in people as the true safeguard of any institution’s legacy.