FIRS Holds Inaugural Research Day to Drive Data-Driven Tax Reforms in Nigeria

FIRS held inaugural research day to drive data-driven tax reforms in Nigeria.

NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has hosted its first-ever Research Day, marking a significant step towards embedding research and data-driven decision-making into Nigeria’s tax administration.

The event, spearheaded by FIRS Executive Chairman Dr. Zacch Adedeji, convened internal stakeholders, academics, policymakers, and tax experts to launch several knowledge initiatives aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s tax system and economic governance.

ALSO: FG Approves ₦1.5 Trillion Kano Light Rail Project to Boost Urban Transport

 

Addressing attendees, Dr. Adedeji emphasized that “Research matters in tax administration,” noting that without credible data and rigorous analysis, policymakers risk working blindly. He stressed that Nigeria’s complex economy requires reforms and innovations rooted in solid research to foster national prosperity.

“Every question we ask, every data point we analyze, and every policy we shape brings Nigeria closer to prosperity,” he said.

The Executive Chairman urged all departments within FIRS to integrate research outcomes into their planning and operations, while calling for continuous collaboration with the academic and development sectors to bridge theory and practice.

Key Initiatives Launched

At the event, FIRS unveiled:

• The FIRS Research Policy Document, establishing ethical, methodological, and transparency standards for research within the agency.

• The Tax Revenue Statistical Bulletin, providing authoritative tax data trends from 1970 to 2022, serving as a critical resource for economic analysts and policymakers.

• Volume 4 of the FIRS Journal of Tax Studies (FJTS), a peer-reviewed platform featuring research by FIRS staff, academics, and industry professionals. The journal also launched a new digital platform at www.fjts.online to expand accessibility.

Director of Research and Statistics, Halima M. Shehu, described Research Day as “a new beginning,” emphasizing that “research and reliable data are not optional; they are essential.” She highlighted the importance of protecting intellectual property and fostering a research culture across FIRS.

In a statement, Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the Executive Chairman, called the event “a defining moment anchored in data, powered by inquiry, and committed to building a smarter, more accountable, and more innovative tax administration system for Nigeria.”