NFIU DG Advocates for Efficient Tax Systems to Boost Domestic Revenue

The Director General of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hajiya Hafsat Bakari, has emphasized the need for Nigeria to establish efficient and effective tax systems to enhance domestic revenue mobilization.

Speaking at the inaugural National Revenue Assurance Summit, held in collaboration with the State Internal Revenue Services, Bakari stressed the importance of diversifying government revenue sources to ensure sustainable economic growth.

Commending the Chairs of the State Internal Revenue Services and the Federal Capital Territory for their dedication to improving domestic revenue, the DG stated, “Our nation has entered a new fiscal era. Delivering infrastructure and essential services requires innovative approaches and out-of-the-box thinking. At both national and sub-national levels, our collective ambition to grow the economy demands that we diversify revenue sources beyond oil and gas.”

She further highlighted the need to focus on internally generated revenue (IGR), noting that a robust tax system is essential for funding public services. “To build schools, provide healthcare, construct roads and bridges, and secure our communities, we must ensure that everyone pays their fair share of taxes. There can be no tolerance for tax avoidance or evasion.”

Bakari also elaborated on the role of Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) in supporting revenue generation. FIUs, she explained, are central authorities responsible for analyzing financial reports to identify suspicious transactions and criminal activity, including tax evasion. She emphasized that the NFIU has prioritized tax crimes and revenue assurance by establishing a dedicated Tax Crimes and Revenue Assurance Department—one of the first of its kind globally.

“While our initial efforts focused on supporting the Federal Inland Revenue Service, we have expanded our collaboration to sub-national counterparts. Our analysis revealed that the majority of tax evasion occurs at the state level, and the data held by the NFIU could greatly benefit State Internal Revenue Services,” Bakari stated.

However, she warned that while FIUs were established to combat criminal activity, international standards mandate that measures be in place to protect the integrity of the information shared. To ensure this, the NFIU has developed a secure platform, the Crime Records Information Management System (CRIMS), to handle intelligence requests and maintain robust audit mechanisms.

Bakari added that the NFIU provides comprehensive training for authorized users of the CRIMS platform and has established an Authorised Officers Forum, which includes representatives from all stakeholders eligible to request and receive intelligence from the FIU. This forum plays a crucial role in providing feedback to the NFIU, allowing the Unit to improve its services and demonstrate the value of its partnerships.

She urged participants to provide detailed feedback on the intelligence shared, including actions taken and recoveries made, to help the NFIU better support their efforts in revenue mobilization.

In her concluding remarks, Bakari assured the summit attendees that the NFIU remains a committed partner, ready to support state governments in addressing the financial challenges they face in meeting the needs of Nigerian citizens.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, underscored the need for revenue optimization and tax reform in the country.

Oyedele highlighted the importance of curbing revenue leakages and ensuring that the government effectively uses its resources.

He harped on maximizing revenue not only from taxes but also from government assets, enterprises, and natural resources beyond oil and gas.

He hinted that the a significant focus of the reform efforts is protecting the vulnerable by exempting the poorest citizens from taxes, while ensuring that the elite and upper-middle class pay their share.

“Many countries Nigerians aspire to live in have higher tax rates, but citizens are willing to pay because they see the value in government services. The aim is to replicate this model in Nigeria by fostering transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government spending.

“Collaboration between federal, state, and local governments is ongoing to enhance data collection, which is seen as key to improving revenue generation,” he said.

He expressed optimism that once the right systems are in place, Nigeria will move away from incremental revenue gains and achieve a transformative leap in governance and the quality of life for its citizens.

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