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NRS SCORECARD: AUTOMATION, DATA INTEGRATION AND SME SUPPORT DRIVE EARLY WINS IN TAX ADMINISTRATION
By Prince Benson Davies
Six months into its repositioning, the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, says reforms focused on technology, transparency and service delivery are beginning to produce measurable results across Nigeria’s tax system.
The Service was restructured to address long-standing challenges such as revenue leakages, low compliance, multiple taxation and reliance on manual processes. According to NRS, the first half-year has been devoted to widening the tax net, simplifying procedures, and building trust with taxpayers.
A review of performance data by the Finance and Business Online Publishers Association, FiBOP, shows progress in three key areas: revenue mobilisation, digital transformation, and taxpayer experience.
Wider Tax Net and Reduced Leakages
NRS said it has integrated data from banks, the Corporate Affairs Commission and the Nigeria Customs Service to identify and register more taxpayers. The effort has led to about a 23% increase in registered taxpayers within six months.
The Service also reported progress in plugging revenue leakages in priority sectors through better data matching and audit processes.
Digital Transformation with REV 360
A major part of the reform is the rollout of REV 360, described as the next generation tax administration platform. The system provides a single interface for registration, filing, payment, verification and dispute resolution — services that previously required visits to different offices.
NRS described REV 360 as “Tax Administration 3.0,” built for end-to-end automation, real-time reporting and direct integration with taxpayers’ operational systems. Officials said the platform has cut the average processing time for tax transactions from 7 days to 48 hours. About 68% of all filings are now done online.
The Honourable Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the reforms are having a visible impact on the informal sector. Speaking at the 14th Annual CEOs Forum of BusinessDay, he noted that CAC now records over 10,000 applications from informal businesses daily, compared to much lower numbers before the reforms.
“The agenda is not to raise tax rates to punish success,” Oyedele said. “It is about widening the tax net, simplifying compliance and using technology. The reforms are designed to eliminate multiple taxation and reduce the cost of doing business.”
Improved Taxpayer Service
On service delivery, NRS said it has opened 12 new taxpayer service centres and launched SME education clinics across the country. Over 400,000 taxpayers have been assisted directly, while complaint resolution time has dropped by 40%.
Integrity and Collaboration
To address integrity concerns, the Service carried out staff retraining, launched a whistleblower portal and enforced a zero-tolerance policy. NRS reported a 92% drop in reported cases of harassment and extortion at tax offices.
The agency also signed data-sharing Memoranda of Understanding with 20 State Internal Revenue Services and key federal agencies. The agreements are aimed at supporting joint audits and reducing instances of multiple taxation for businesses.
Looking Ahead
NRS leadership said the objective of the reforms was never to increase tax rates, but to make the system fairer and easier to navigate.
“Nigerians deserve a tax system they can trust,” the Service stated. “In 6 months, we have moved from promises to performance. Automation is removing bottlenecks. Data is helping us to be more equitable. And our people are being treated with dignity.”
The Service acknowledged that challenges remain, particularly in bringing more informal businesses into the tax net and improving public perception. It said the next six months will focus on deeper SME support, faster tax refunds, and greater transparency in the use of revenues.
Oyedele added that with macroeconomic stability now largely restored, the government’s focus must shift to converting that stability into investment, productivity, jobs and higher incomes.
“A stronger and more efficient revenue system means better funding for roads, schools, hospitals and security,” he said. “That is the commitment we are keeping.”
