THE Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) has said its technology-driven tax reforms are designed to simplify compliance, reduce revenue leakages and create a fairer and more predictable operating environment for businesses.
Executive Chairman of the NRS, Dr Zacch Adedeji, stated this at the 21st Abuja International Trade Fair (AITF) in Abuja last week, stressing that the reforms were aimed at promoting prosperity and economic growth rather than imposing additional hardship on businesses.
The trade fair, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), was held under the theme: ‘Resilience: Trade, Taxation and the Economy.’
Adedeji said the theme was timely, given the need for stronger collaboration between government and the private sector to build a resilient economy.
He said the NRS was focused on making taxation simpler, fairer, more transparent and easier to comply with, particularly for businesses that create jobs, invest and contribute to economic activity.
‘The technology-driven tax reforms will make compliance easier and create a fairer environment for businesses.
‘The NRS wants businesses to grow, invest, create jobs and generate value. Their success contributes to Nigeria’s economic development,’ he said.
The NRS chairman also called for simplified taxation and deeper engagement with the business community, saying effective dialogue was critical to ensuring that tax policies supported rather than constrained economic activity.
He said technology was transforming tax administration through platforms such as Rev360 and electronic invoicing, which were designed to make taxpayer registration, filing and payment more seamless.
Adedeji urged businesses to engage directly with the NRS on challenges affecting their operations, assuring them that the service was prepared to listen, provide clarity and improve processes.
He said the reforms would strengthen tax administration systems, reduce leakages and promote a level playing field, while supporting micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and sustainable economic growth.
The Second Deputy President of the ACCI, Dr Aliyu Hong, called for sustained dialogue between the NRS and the business community to create a transparent and predictable operating environment.
Hong said closer engagement between government revenue agencies and businesses was necessary to support investment, enterprise growth and job creation.
He said the chamber remained committed to protecting the interests of businesses and promoting an enabling environment for trade, investment and enterprise development.
According to him, the trade fair provided opportunities for networking, market access, partnerships and policy discussions, including on taxation and trade.
He described the participation of the NRS as significant because it would enable businesses and members of the public to better understand tax administration, compliance requirements and available services.
Hong said productive relations between tax authorities and the business community were essential for sustainable economic growth, adding that direct engagement could improve transparency, understanding and voluntary compliance.
Also speaking, ACCI Director-General, Mr Agbaidu Jideani, said the participation of the NRS was important because constructive engagement with businesses could improve tax compliance and create a more predictable business environment.
Jideani said the chamber’s four centres provide services to entrepreneurs, businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders across the business community.
He listed the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre as supporting businesses through skills development, training and enterprise support, while the National Policy Advocacy Centre promotes engagement between the private sector and policymakers on issues affecting the business environment.
He reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to entrepreneurship, policy advocacy, dispute resolution, trade promotion and business development.