Economy
Nigeria’s Tax Collections Reach N22.59trn in Nine Months, N47.39trn in Two Years
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has achieved significant revenue improvements, as tax collections reached N22.59 trillion between January and September 2025.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the service, Mr Zacch Adedeji, adding that the service also achieved a record-breaking revenue growth of N47.39 trillion between October 2023 and September this year, representing 115 per cent of its target.
Highlighting FIRS’ key achievements under his watch, he said 2025 represented a period of remarkable achievements and transformation, as non-oil revenue accounted for 76 per cent of total collections, reflecting diversification and reform success.
Giving a breakdown of key tax performance, Mr Adedeji said oil tax revenue stood at N5.29 trillion, representing 98 per cent of target, while non-oil taxes stood at N17.3 trillion, representing 128 per cent of the target for the nine-month period and 76 per cent of total collection.
Non-import VAT accounted for 137 per cent of target while import VAT accounted 131 per cent of target.
Mr Adedeji further assured of fair implementation of the new tax laws, vowing that the service will meet and surpass government revenue target, continually pursue the digitalisation of tax processes, training and retraining of officers, as well as partnership with all stakeholders.
He said FIRS’ proposed transformation to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), effective January 1, 2026, will expand the agency’s mandate to include non-tax revenue collection from Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The FIRS helmsman stated that building on the foundations laid during his first year in office, the service had continued to strengthen the country’s tax administration through strategic reforms, technological innovation, and enhanced operational efficiency.
He said during the period, the service not only met its revenue targets but also advanced several landmark initiatives that were reshaping the fiscal landscape.
Key milestones included meeting and sustaining revenue collection targets through improved efficiency and compliance measures, and passage of key tax reform acts designed to modernise Nigeria’s tax framework and promote transparency.
Mr Adedeji noted that under his adminstration said the service drove the implementation of National Single Window Project to simplify and harmonise trade and tax processes, as well as the launch of the e-invoicing system to enhance accuracy, accountability, and digital integration in tax collection.
He said the tax policy consisted of a tripod – basically the development of sound and inclusive tax policies that support national growth and fiscal stability; promoting fairness, broadening the tax base, and aligning policy direction with the country’s long-term economic objectives.
The FIRS chairman further clarified that recent tax reforms through the enactment of new laws aimed to promote fairness and equity, competitiveness, simplification, and efficiency of the tax system.
He said modernisation of tax administration was being implemented through technology, process improvement (restructuring of internal operations to a one-stop-shop), and staff capacity development.
“A major highlight of 2025 was the successful passage of several key tax reform laws, part of the government’s broader fiscal modernization agenda. These new laws aim to simplify tax compliance, close administrative gaps, and align Nigeria’s tax system with international best practices.
“Also, a key reform is the transformation of FIRS to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), effective January 1, 2026. This expands the agency’s mandate to include non-tax revenue collection from Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).”
Mr Adedeji said, “Building on progress made in 2024, the National Single Window Project advanced significantly in 2025. The digital platform, designed to connect ports, government agencies, and trade stakeholders, is streamlining import and export processes, reducing clearance times, and improving transparency.
“This initiative continues to strengthen Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness and supports the government’s broader agenda to enhance efficiency and ease of doing business.
“In August 2025, FIRS launched the full implementation of the National e-Invoicing Solution (Merchant-Buyer Model) following a successful pilot phase. The system enhances transparency, efficiency, and real-time monitoring of business transactions.”
He stressed that the *829# USSD Code initiative, which was launched on October 9, 2024, will allow taxpayers to access services including retrieving their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verifying TCCs, viewing tax types and rates, locating tax offices and making general enquiries directly from their mobile phones.
On collaborations with other agencies and taxpayer education and awareness, Mr Adedeji stated that FIRS will host a tax clinic across the country to improve tax education and compliance among small businesses, start-ups, and informal sector operators, offering direct assistance with tax filing and dispute resolution.
Commenting on international tax cooperation, he said FIRS advanced Nigeria’s global tax leadership by concluding five mutual agreement processes with Belgium, France, and Netherlands, as well as partnership with the Swedish Revenue Agency to facilitate α training programme on tax administration to increase voluntary compliance.
He said the service concluded treaty negotiations with Hong Kong, Botswana, Tanzania, Rwanda and Switzerland, including renegotiation of legacy tax treaties starting with the Netherlands, and commenced treaty negotiations with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Morocco, India and Jersey.
“FIRS has in 2025, continued its transformation into a modern, technology-driven, and service-oriented institution, and has achieved major legislative, operational, and technological milestones that position it for sustained growth and greater efficiency.
“FIRS remains committed to simplifying tax, maximising revenue, and enabling national development through transparency, innovation, and stakeholder collaboration,” he noted.
Economy
NASD Exchange Extends Bearish Run After 0.56% Drop
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange extended its stay in the south territory with a decline of 0.56 per cent on Wednesday, April 2.
This brought down the market capitalisation by N13 billion to N2.417 trillion from N2.430 trillion, and downed the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) by 22.57 points to 4,062.87 points from the previous session’s 4,062.87 points.
It was observed that the NASD exchange ended with three price gainers and three price losers during the trading day.
MRS Oil Plc depreciated by N19.00 to close at N171.00 per unit compared with the previous price of N190.00 per unit, NASD Plc lost N4.14 to trade at N37.36 per share compared with Wednesday’s N41.50 per share, and Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gave up N2.00 to sell at N78.00 per unit versus N80.00 per unit.
On the flip side, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc appreciated by 19 Kobo to N93.00 per share from N92.81 per share, Food Concepts Plc expanded by 15 Kobo to N2.87 per unit from N2.72 per unit, and Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc improved by 2 Kobo to 52 Kobo per share from 50 Kobo per share.
Yesterday, the volume of securities dipped by 91.8 per cent to 260.2 million units from 3.2 billion units, the value of securities went down by 98.1 per cent to N154.2 million from N8.3 billion, while the number of deals soared by 53.3 per cent to 46 deals from 30 deals.
GNI Plc was the most active stock by value on a year-to-date basis with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 56.9 million units valued at N3.9 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.5 million units traded for N1.8 billion.
The most traded stock by volume on a year-to-date basis was also GNI Plc with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.2 billion, trailed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units exchanged for N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units transacted for N1.2 billion.
Economy
Naira Slips to N1,380/$1 at Official Market, Remains N1,405/$1 at Black Market
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Naira dropped N2.09 or 0.15 per cent against the United States Dollar in the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX) on Thursday, April 2, to trade at N1,380.79/$1 compared with Wednesday’s rate of N1,378.70/$1.
However, it appreciated against the Pound Sterling in the official market by N2.77 to quote at N1,824.86/£1 versus the N1,836.57/£1 it was traded at midweek, and improved its value against the Euro by N10.54 to N1,591.92/€1 from N1,602.46/€1.
Yesterday was the last trading session of the week for the local currency in the spot market, as the market will be closed on Friday and Monday for the Easter Holiday.
At the black market, the Nigerian Naira maintained stability against the greenback yesterday at N1,405/$1, but gained N8 at the GTBank FX counter to settle at N1,388/$1, in contrast to the previous session’s N1,396/$1.
Pressure eased on the domestic currency as strong policy indicators have helped calm the majority of worries within the financial systems. Particularly in the remittance segment, the apex bank has directed all International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) to route remittance transactions through designated Naira settlement accounts in banks, a move aimed at boosting transparency and channelling more foreign exchange into the formal market.
This helps take off pressure from the foreign reserves, which have fallen below the $50 billion mark as they are gradually decreasing rather than falling sharply.
Meanwhile, the cryptocurrency market was bullish on Thursday, as macro sentiment shifted against recent optimism after reports that Iran is drafting a protocol with Oman to manage traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, easing concerns about disruptions to a key global oil route.
The remarks came after U.S. President Trump on Wednesday night vowed to hit Iran “extremely hard” in the coming weeks and that the Strait of Hormuz would “open naturally” once the war ends.
Cardano (ADA) chalked up 1.9 per cent to trade at $0.2435, Dogecoin (DOGE) grew by 1.2 per cent to $0.0912, Ethereum (ETH) appreciated by 0.8 per cent to $2,066.37, Bitcoin (BTC) added 0.5 per cent to sell at $67,080.53, Solana (SOL) increased by 0.5 per cent to $79.91, and Ripple (XRP) jumped 0.2 per cent to $1.31.
Conversely, Binance Coin (BNB) dipped 0.7 per cent to $586.90, and TRON (TRX) depreciated by 0.3 per cent to $0.3147, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.
Economy
Bulls, Bears Share Customs Street’s Spoils Amid Bullish Investor Sentiment
By Dipo Olowookere
The local stock market was relatively flat on Friday, as the bears and the bulls shared the spoils of war, though investor sentiment turned bullish compared with the preceding session’s bearish posture.
Data from the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited showed that the All-Share Index (ASI) was marginally down by 4.66 points as it ended at 201,698.89 points versus Wednesday’s 201,703.55 points, and the market capitalisation slightly contracted by N3 billion to N129.806 trillion from N129.809 trillion.
Customs Street was shut on Friday because of the public holidays declared by the federal government today and next Monday.
Business Post reports that John Holt declined by 9.91 per cent to N15.45, Abbey Mortgage Bank shed 9.60 per cent to trade at N8.95, International Energy Insurance slipped by 6.48 per cent to N3.32, Chams shrank by 5.30 per cent to N3.75, and Tantalizers depreciated by 5.18 per cent to N4.03.
On the flip side, Unilever Nigeria improved by 10.00 per cent to N103.40, Fortis Global Insurance gained 9.82 per cent to trade at N1.23, Multiverse appreciated 9.81 per cent to N20.15, Legend Internet advanced by 9.38 per cent to N6.30, and Zichis grew by 9.02 per cent to N14.14.
The market breadth index was positive during the trading session, as there were 35 appreciating stocks and 24 depreciating stocks.
Yesterday, investors traded 560.0 million equities valued at N19.3 billion in 49,676 deals, in contrast to the 815.5 million equities worth N33.3 billion transacted in 52,641 deals in the preceding day, representing a drop in the trading volume, value, and number of deals by 31.33 per cent, 42.04 per cent, and 5.63 per cent, respectively.
Secure Electronic Technology dominated the activity log with 59.7 million shares valued at N61.1 million, Wema Bank exchanged 52.0 million equities worth N1.4 billion, VFD Group transacted 36.0 million stocks for N410.5 million, Access Holdings sold 35.3 million shares valued at N914.8 million, and Chams traded 31.0 million equities worth N115.0 million.
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