New Tax Law Not About Change Of Name” – Atoyebi Highlights Benefits of NRS

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant to the Executive Chairman of Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji has said that the transition from FIRS to Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, would mark a change in how the country manages revenue.

DAILY POST reports that Nigeria is set to enter a new phase in its revenue administration as the FIRS will formally become NRS from January 2026

This is following the signing of the tax and revenue reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu earlier this year.

The transition, approved through four major pieces of legislation signed into law on 26 June 2025, is being described as a structural shift in how the country collects, manages and accounts for public revenue.

Atoyebi said the move marks “a change in how the country manages revenue” and responds to long-standing public calls for transparency, accountability and economic growth.

The laws include the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.

Together, they form the legal backbone for the new NRS, replacing the former FIRS Act and redefining the scope of federal revenue administration.

Atoyebi stressed that the reforms go beyond rebranding, adding, “This is not about giving the agency a new name,” she said, noting that the NRS now has responsibility for “all federal government revenue, including taxes and other non-tax sources.”

The expanded mandate is expected to strengthen coordination among government agencies and improve oversight of funds entering the Federation Account.

Under the new framework, the NRS will administer both tax and non-tax revenue, integrating its systems with those of other revenue-generating bodies.

This, Atoyebi argued, would allow the government to “track what is collected, how it is collected, and where it goes,” a development she described as “the Nigeria we have all been asking for.”

She said for taxpayers and businesses, the reforms promise a more streamlined experience, adding that registration, filing and payment processes are expected to be simplified, reducing the need for physical visits to multiple offices.

“Registration, filing, and payment will be straight to the point,” Atoyebi said, adding that the changes would help businesses plan better and improve service delivery to taxpayers.

She said the reforms also include provisions to strengthen data protection and confidentiality, an issue that has often concerned taxpayers.

According to her “confidentiality is clearly protected,” giving citizens greater confidence that their information will remain secure.

“The laws also encourage collaboration across government institutions to enhance efficiency.

“As Nigeria approaches 2026, the shift from FIRS to NRS is widely seen as laying the foundation for a revenue system built on trust and accountability.

“2026 is no longer just another year. It marks the start of a revenue era built on trust, accountability, and progress for every Nigerian,” Atoyebi said.