Copyright tribuneonlineng
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji, has lauded the Nigerian judiciary for delivering “sound and consistent” judgments that continue to shape the country’s tax landscape and support economic stability. Speaking at a capacity-building workshop for Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, and Judges of the Federal High Court on Nigeria’s new tax laws, the FIRS Chairman described the initiative by the National Judicial Institute (NJI) as “timely and essential” to the nation’s fiscal reforms. He noted that recent legislative changes, including amendments to Finance Acts and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act and other tax-related regulations, have “significantly reshaped our tax ecosystem,” making closer collaboration between the judiciary and tax authorities more important than ever. “The judiciary, through its interpretative powers, remains the ultimate arbiter in maintaining the delicate balance between the legitimate powers of tax authorities and the rights of taxpayers,” he said. “Your consistent and sound pronouncements have provided stability, predictability, and fairness in tax administration.” According to him, timely and principled judicial resolutions of tax disputes are critical to fostering voluntary compliance, strengthening investor confidence, and enhancing national revenue mobilization. “Tax disputes that are resolved promptly and grounded in clear judicial principles foster compliance and contribute to economic stability,” he added. Reaffirming FIRS’ commitment to stronger collaboration, he said the Service will continue to support the judiciary through knowledge sharing, technical resources, and sustained engagement. “As key stakeholders in the Nigerian tax system, we must deepen synergy, foster dialogue, and build mechanisms that promote early and efficient resolution of tax disputes,” he emphasised. He also highlighted emerging complexities in taxation—particularly those related to digital commerce and cross-border transactions—stating that continuous judicial education remains pivotal to sustaining fairness and transparency in the tax regime. Concluding, the FIRS boss expressed confidence that insights from the workshop will translate into more robust judicial decisions and help build “a more efficient, equitable, and investor-friendly tax system for Nigeria.”
