FIRS reacts to controversies over MoU with France’s DGFiP

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed claims that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it recently signed with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) will lead to leakage of data of Nigerian taxpayers to the French organisation.

FIRS said this on Friday while disputing claims by commentators on Social media that the MOU with DGFiP will lead to handing over of data of Nigerian taxpayers and digital tax infrastructure to France.

FIRS, said this in a statement by Dr Umar Ahmed, its Director, Intergovernmental Affairs, clarified that the MoU is a strictly technical assistance and capacity-building framework initiative.

“At no point does it grant France access to Nigerian tax data, digital infrastructure, or operational control of our systems. All Nigerian laws regarding data protection, sovereignty, and cybersecurity remain fully in force, and the MoU includes robust confidentiality and data protection provisions,” FIRS said in the statement.

On why it decided to align with DGFiP, FIRS noted that the organisation “is one of the world’s most sophisticated tax administrations, with over 100 years of institutional experience, a workforce exceeding 90,000 professionals, and globally recognized expertise in digital tax systems, institutional governance, taxpayer services, and public finance management.”

“This partnership is advisory, non-intrusive, and mutually beneficial, designed to strengthen FIRS’ institutional capacity as it transitions into the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS). The collaboration provides Nigeria with a unique opportunity to learn from international best practices in workforce management, digital transformation, tax policy development, and regional cooperation, while ensuring that Nigeria retains full control over its tax administration and data,” the organisation said.

The FIRS also dismissed claims that the MOU will lead to the sidelining of local technology providers.

Contrary to the claim, FIRS said it has continued to engage and collaborate with Nigerian innovators, including NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave.

“The MoU is not intended to deliver technical services, but rather to provide capacity-building, advisory support, and knowledge sharing based on DGFiP’s extensive institutional experience. The collaboration focuses on institutional strengthening, workforce development, digital transformation guidance, taxpayer education, policy modernization, and regional integration—all fully aligned with Nigeria’s sovereignty and national interests”

FIRS added that while it welcomed informed public discourse on tax reforms, such discussions must accurately reflect the content and intent of the MoU.

“Far from compromising national control, this agreement represents a strategic initiative to modernize Nigeria’s tax administration, enhance institutional capacity, and strengthen the country’s long-term economic resilience. Nigeria remains fully in command of its tax systems, data, and policy direction. FIRS remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and collaboration in the pursuit of national development,” the Service concluded in the statement.