Tinubu commissions NRS Headquarters, says new tax reforms will drive prosperity

Africa, Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria — 14 April 2026 (NPA) — President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday said colonial-era tax laws impoverished Nigerians through fragmentation, multiplicity, and inconsistencies, but assured that ongoing reforms will deliver greater prosperity and inclusivity.

Speaking at the commissioning of the 16-storey Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) Headquarters in Abuja, the President emphasised that the new tax system, which became fully operational in January, is designed to be people-centred and investment-friendly, advancing national development goals.

“On my inauguration day, I made a solemn pledge that we will move Nigerians from the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope. Today, I stand before you to reaffirm that these words were not rhetoric; they were a covenant with the Nigerian people,” Tinubu said.

He commended the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, for completing the edifice in 30 months, noting that it provides a conducive working environment for 3,000 staff, along with modern facilities including a data centre, clinic, auditorium, training halls, gym, and library.

“We are not gathered here merely to commission an edifice. We are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey: the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institutions. No serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system,” the President added.

Tinubu also praised the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, for leading efforts to modernise colonial-era tax laws into “manageable, realisable, and understandable levels.” He assured that the reforms are designed to simplify the system, eliminate distortions, and create a fair, transparent, and investment-friendly environment.

“The early results are encouraging and fantastic. We are witnessing improved fiscal stability, stronger foreign reserves, a more efficient trade ecosystem, and increased investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic direction,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged Nigerians to be patient with the administration, citing improvements in fuel supply and economic stability. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, commended the reforms for aligning rules, institutions, and incentives within a single framework.

In his remarks, NRS Chairman Adedeji described the commissioning as “the culmination of a defining institutional journey,” noting that over 60 fragmented tax laws have been streamlined into a coherent framework. He highlighted revenue growth from ₦6.8 trillion five years ago to ₦28.7 trillion in 2025, alongside strengthened fiscal governance and the launch of the National Single Window for trade.

Delivering a goodwill message, Guan Shuai, Managing Director of China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CECC), praised Tinubu’s leadership, saying the Renewed Hope Agenda has repositioned Nigeria’s economy for foreign direct investment.