Economy
FIRS Collects Record-Breaking N10.05trn Tax in 2022
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced that it collected over N10 trillion in tax revenue in the year 2022, the highest tax collection ever recorded in its history.
In a statement seen by Business Post, signed by Mr Johannes Oluwatobi Wojuola, Special Assistant to the Executive Chairman, Mr Mohammed Nami, on Monday, it was stated that about N10.05 trillion was collected in the year under review.
A breakdown showed that N4.09 trillion came from oil revenues (41 per cent) and N5.96 trillion from non-oil revenues (59 per cent).
FIRS claimed that this broke the record previously set in 2021 in its FIRS 2022 Performance Update, signed by its Executive Chairman, on Monday, after his briefing with President Muhammadu Buhari.
“The FIRS, in the year 2022, collected a total of N10.1 trillion in both oil (N4.09 trillion) and non-oil (N5.96 trillion) revenues as against a target of N10.44 trillion.
“Companies Income Tax contributed N2.83 trillion; Value Added Tax N2.51 trillion; Electronic Money Transfer Levy N125.67 billion and Earmarked Taxes N353.69 billion,” it stated.
The Performance Update Report further clarified that included in the total revenue sum was the sum of N146.27 billion, which was the total value of certificates issued by the service to private investors and NNPC for road infrastructure under the Road Infrastructure Development Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme created by Executive Order No. 007 of 2019.
The report also stated that the N10.05 trillion is exclusive of tax waived on account of various tax incentives granted under the respective laws, which amounted to N1,805,040,163,008.
Providing perspective to the unprecedented collection, the FIRS noted in the Performance Update that the Mr Nami-led management, upon assumption of office, came up with a four-point focus, namely: administrative and operational restructuring; making the service customer-focused: creating a data-centric institution, and automation of administrative and operational processes.
It further noted that over the period of 2020 to 2022, the management had introduced reforms bordering around these four-point foci, which were producing results.
“The reforms introduced at different times in 2020 are gradually yielding fruits. By the close of 2022, the Service had fully restructured the administration of the service for maximum efficiency and achieved internal cohesion such that all functional units are working in unison towards the achievement of set goals.
“As a result of the conducive environment created for staff, officers of the Service are pulling their weight on the global stage with international recognitions and awards; “The Service had also automated most of the administrative and operational processes. A major leap was the full deployment of the TaxPro Max for end-to-end administration of taxes in June 2021. The module for the automated TCC went live 1st January 2023 while taxpayers had already downloaded over 1,000 TCCs this year without having to visit FIRS office.”
It also noted that the Service had operationalised its data mining and analysis system, thereby allowing for data-backed taxpayer profiling.
Other reforms the service introduced in this period focused on the detoxification of the tax environment by ridding it of mutual mistrust, negative tax morale, and tax evasion through effective taxpayer education, open engagement with stakeholders and improved services.
It noted that it is courtesy of these reforms, framed around the four-focus points, that the Service was able to achieve this collection.
Speaking on the development, Mr Nami stated that this was made possible through “dogged implementation of strategic reforms over the past two years; a renewed commitment by officers of the Service, accompanied with a boosted morale; as well as the innovative deployment of technology for automation of both tax administration and operational processes.
“This collection was possible through collaboration with our stakeholders, from our colleagues at the Executive branch of government to the members of the judiciary, to our brothers and sisters at the National Assembly, as well as the tax advisory committee, professional bodies, unions, and most crucially our taxpayers.”
Speaking on the outlook for 2023, Mr Nami stated that the Service would build on the current reforms, achieve full automation and continue to establish a resilient service that would continue to provide sustainable tax revenue to fund the government.
“We intend to maintain and even improve on the momentum in 2023,” he stated.
“We have peaked, but this is not certainly our peak. In fact, I hope this will be the least sum the service will ever collect going forward.
“Our goal is to identify more areas where we can improve in the delivery and efficiency of our collection and plug loopholes while deploying innovative reforms in data and artificial intelligence.
“Ultimately, we believe that the FIRS can shoulder the responsibility of providing the revenue needed for the governments across the Federation to cater for the needs of the Nigerian people through taxes.
“This is feasible once we get the much-desired support from the three tiers and arms of government, as well as all stakeholders.”
In 2021, the service achieved a record tax collection of N6.405 trillion, over 100 per cent of its collection target for the year, as well as the first time that the Service will cross the six trillion mark.
The cord collection of N10.1 trillion is over 96 per cent of its collection target for the year, and for the first time, the service will cross the ten trillion mark.
This collection represents an over 100 per cent leap from the tax collected by the agency in 2020-the first year of the current management of the organisation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has cut the interest rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 per cent from 27 per cent.
Nigeria’s apex bank announced this during its two-day 304th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, which concluded on Tuesday in Abuja.
This comes after the country’s interest rate cooled in January to 15.10 per cent from 15.15 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), strengthening the case for a reduction.
The CBN Governor, Mr Yemi Cardoso, said all members of the MPC unanimously agreed upon the decision.
“The committee decided to reduce the monetary policy rate by 50 basis points to 26.50 per cent,” he said.
Mr Cardoso stated that the liquidity ratio was maintained at 30 per cent, and the standing facilities corridor was adjusted to +50 to -450 basis points around the monetary policy rate.
He said the committee retained the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) at 45 per cent for commercial banks and 16 per cent for merchant banks, while the 75 per cent CRR on non-TSA public sector deposits was equally maintained.
The CBN uses the MPR, which works as the benchmark interest rate, to manage inflation, macroeconomic stability, and liquidity.
Last November, the MPC retained the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.00 per cent. The last time the apex bank cut interest rates was in September last year, to 27 per cent from 27.50 per cent after a series of easing in inflation.
Market analysts had argued for higher interest cuts due to results seen in the CBN’s inflation targeting framework. Meanwhile, some say the 50 basis points reduction will offer a temporary reprieve as inflation heads for a single-digit target in the coming months.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A cross-border payments solutions company, Grey has expanded its business banking platform to include US Dollar corporate accounts, bulk international payments, and USDC stablecoin support, all integrated into a single system.
The company is positioning itself as a low-cost, faster alternative to traditional international banking, particularly for businesses in emerging markets as it enables companies to open US Dollar accounts, receive global payments, and send payouts to 170+ countries, including bulk transfers, within minutes.
Grey aims to solve common cross-border payment challenges, particularly the high transfer costs that often range between 6 and 7 per cent of transaction value, prolonged settlement cycles that can stretch across several days, and the limited access many businesses face when trying to open and operate foreign currency accounts. In addition, companies frequently contend with hidden intermediary fees and poor foreign exchange transparency, both of which undermine cost predictability and effective cash flow management.
By integrating USD business accounts and USDC stablecoin functionality into its platform, Grey enhances its value proposition around faster settlement, clearer pricing structures, improved cost efficiency, and broader global accessibility. The expanded capabilities enable businesses to manage international transactions with greater speed, transparency, and operational control.
“Businesses may operate without borders today, but access to reliable global banking remains uneven, particularly for companies in high-growth markets,” said Mr Idorenyin Obong, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Grey. “We’re closing that gap and enabling businesses to move money faster, with greater transparency and control, wherever their clients or partners are based.”
“When payments are delayed, or costs are unpredictable, growth stalls,” added Mr Joseph Femi Aghedo, Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Grey. “Grey eliminates those friction points, giving businesses a faster, simpler way to manage payroll, supplier payments, and partner payouts across borders. Adding USD and stablecoin capabilities makes these benefits accessible to even more customers.”
Established in Africa in 2020, Grey has a presence in key markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, and has recently expanded its services and operations into Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Since its inception, the company has consistently enhanced its services to empower digital nomads worldwide, regardless of location. Grey’s offerings include multi-currency accounts, low-cost international money transfers, a virtual USD card, expense management tools, and robust security measures.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A partnership designed to expand access to stablecoins and on-chain financial opportunities for everyday users and businesses has been entered into between Quidax and Lisk.
The partnership provides a critical gateway for the developer community, as builders on the Lisk network can now leverage Quidax’s robust digital asset infrastructure to access stablecoins and local currencies at competitive rates.
This institutional-grade infrastructure is designed to power “future-forward” financial products, ranging from neobanks and cross-border payment platforms to regional exchanges and global fintech solutions. It will also allow Quidax customers to trade and move value seamlessly using USDT, USDC, LSK, and Ether (ETH) on the Lisk network.
The collaboration will also accelerate the adoption of Web3 solutions that solve real-world financial challenges for millions of customers across Africa by combining Quidax’s deep local liquidity and compliant framework with Lisk’s scalable L2 technology.
In 2024, Quidax became the first crypto exchange to receive a provisional operating license from Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
“The partnership with Lisk enables us to extend our platform to serve more people and cater to the increasing demand from products and services that want to integrate our stablecoin and digital assets product to build products across Africa,” the Chief Infrastructure Officer at Quidax, Mr Morris Ebieroma, said.
Also commenting, the Ecosystem Lead for Africa at Lisk, Ms Chidubem Emelumadu, said, “Africa represents one of the most critical frontiers for blockchain innovation, where the demand for reliable and inclusive financial tools is urgent.
“Our partnership with Quidax expands access to stablecoins and on-chain financial opportunities for everyday users and businesses. At the same time, it gives founders building on Lisk the critical infrastructure they need to create solutions that can scale meaningfully across the continent,” she added.
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