Nigeria’s Future Won’t Be Determined by Chance – Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared that Nigeria’s future would be shaped by deliberate choices rather than chance, as he charged the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to prioritise trust, transparency and accountability in its operations.

The president, who made this comment at the inauguration of the NRS headquarters in Abuja, said his administration remained committed to rebuilding Nigeria’s fiscal architecture and restoring confidence in public institutions through far-reaching reforms.

Tinubu recalled his inauguration pledge to move Nigeria “from the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope,” stressing that ongoing reforms were not mere rhetoric but a binding covenant with Nigerians.

“We are not gathered here merely to commission a building,” he said. “We are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey—the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institutions.”

The President emphasised that no country could achieve lasting prosperity with a weak and fragmented revenue system, noting that opaque and inefficient taxation undermines public trust.

He said the administration’s tax and fiscal reforms were designed to simplify processes, eliminate distortions and create a fair, transparent and investment-friendly environment.

“Our direction is clear—a revenue system that rewards enterprise, supports growth, and ensures that every contribution to the national purse is matched by tangible value for the people,” Tinubu said.

He pointed to early gains from the reforms, including improved fiscal stability, stronger foreign reserves, enhanced trade efficiency and rising investor confidence.

“These gains are not incidental,” he added. “They are the product of deliberate policy, sustained effort and a commitment to long-term national prosperity.”

Describing the new headquarters as more than a physical structure, Tinubu said it symbolised a new standard of professionalism, efficiency and service expected of the NRS.

He charged the agency to go beyond revenue collection and become a model institution that builds trust and demonstrates accountability.

“It must not only collect revenue; it must build trust. It must ensure fairness and demonstrate that government can be accountable, efficient and responsive,” he said.

The President stressed that the completion of the project signalled a shift from promises to tangible progress.

“Nigeria is no longer content with promises; we are delivering progress,” he said, adding that history would judge leaders by the strength of institutions built and sustained.

“The work of national renewal demands consistency, courage and collective resolve. Nigeria’s future will not be determined by chance—it will be determined by the choices we all make together.”

‘NRS Headquarters, Symbol of Fiscal Reform’

In his opening address, executive chairman of the NRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, described the commissioning as the culmination of a long institutional journey anchored on discipline, reform and execution.

He said the headquarters represented a tangible expression of Nigeria’s renewed fiscal vision and the transformation of its revenue system

“What stands before us is not merely an edifice, but the physical manifestation of a nation choosing order over drift, discipline over fragmentation and execution over intent,” he said.

Adedeji credited the Tinubu administration with undertaking a comprehensive reset of Nigeria’s fiscal and economic architecture at a critical moment marked by constrained fiscal space and weak investor confidence.

He highlighted key reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange market, clearance of backlogs and the restoration of transparency in economic management.

According to him, over 60 fragmented tax laws have been streamlined into a more coherent framework, improving compliance, predictability and administrative efficiency.

“This reform was not driven by higher tax burdens, but by better systems, broader coverage and stronger governance,” he said.

Adedeji also pointed to improvements in fiscal governance, including enhanced remittance systems, stronger transparency mechanisms and tighter control of public finances.

He described the headquarters as a “visible, enduring symbol” that reforms are real, structural and implemented, rather than theoretical.

He said the facility, comprising 16 floors across three towers with a capacity for over 3,000 staff, would serve as a hub for innovation, efficiency and service delivery.

“As we commission this headquarters, we must recognise that it is not an endpoint, but a foundation. Its true value will be measured by the efficiency it enables, the transparency it enforces and the trust it builds,” he said.

It’s Investment in Nigeria’s Fiscal Future – Finance Minister

For his part, the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, described the new headquarters as an investment in Nigeria’s fiscal future and a reflection of broader institutional transformation.

“This is not just a building; it is a physical expression of the fundamental shifts in how Nigeria is being modernised,” he said.

Oyedele noted that prior to the current reforms, Nigeria’s fiscal system was characterised by fragmented tax laws, weak coordination, a low tax-to-GDP ratio and an unsustainable debt service model.

He said the reforms had strengthened revenue institutions, improved collections and laid the foundation for long-term fiscal sustainability. “The transformation of the Federal Revenue Service into the Nigeria Revenue Service reflects broader mandates, stronger governance and a repositioning for greater performance,” he said.

According to him, the country has moved from a fragmented system to a more coherent revenue architecture, which is critical for investor confidence and economic efficiency.

He urged the NRS to deepen efficiency, strengthen compliance through transparency, leverage technology and sustain revenue growth.

“We cannot build a modern economy on an outdated fiscal system,” Oyedele added.

Modern Tax System Must Be Transparent – Speaker

In his speech, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emphasised the need for stability, transparency and discipline in the NRS’s operations.

He said the agency must ensure consistency in its processes across sectors and regions, while making its systems open and understandable to taxpayers.

“A modern tax system cannot operate as a closed structure,” Abbas said. “Data, processes and decisions must be intelligible not only to government but to those who are subject to it.”

He cautioned against excessive enforcement of revenue laws, noting that restraint is essential to sustaining trust and voluntary compliance.

“The authority to collect revenue must be exercised with discipline,” he said.

Abbas reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to oversight, stating that legislative engagement would ensure that the intent of reforms is preserved in implementation.

He noted that the effectiveness of the NRS would depend on its integration with broader economic systems, including technology adoption, tax base expansion and inter-agency coordination.

“A revenue system is ultimately a relationship between the state and the citizens. Its endurance will depend less on structure and more on the discipline that guides its processes,” he said.