FIRS Dismisses Concerns Over MoU With France’s Tax Authority -----Says Agreement Does Not Grant Access to Nigerians’ Tax Data

By Kayode Olopade 

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed concerns surrounding its recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP), clarifying that the agreement does not compromise Nigeria’s data security, sovereignty or tax administration systems.

In a statement issued on Friday in response to public commentary and a letter attributed to the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), the agency said the MoU is a standard international cooperation framework designed solely for technical knowledge exchange and capacity building.

According to FIRS, the agreement does not grant France access to Nigerian taxpayers’ data, digital platforms or operational infrastructure, stressing that all existing Nigerian laws on data protection, cybersecurity and national sovereignty remain fully in force.

“The MoU is advisory, non-intrusive and entirely under Nigeria’s control,” the statement said, adding that safeguarding national security and taxpayers’ information remains a top priority.

FIRS explained that similar cooperation agreements are routinely signed by tax authorities worldwide to promote collaboration, institutional strengthening and the adoption of global best practices.

It described France’s DGFiP as one of the world’s most advanced tax administrations, with over a century of experience in digital transformation, public finance governance and taxpayer services, noting that the partnership simply allows Nigeria to learn from that expertise.

The revenue agency also dispelled fears that the MoU would undermine local technology firms, affirming that FIRS and the emerging Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) continue to work closely with indigenous innovators, including NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack and Flutterwave.

“The agreement does not involve the provision of technical services or outsourcing of systems,” FIRS stated. “It is limited to knowledge sharing, workforce development, policy support and institutional capacity building.”

While welcoming public engagement on tax reforms, the agency urged stakeholders to ensure that discussions are guided by the actual content and intent of the agreement.

FIRS concluded that the MoU strengthens, rather than weakens, Nigeria’s sovereignty by supporting the development of a modern, efficient and globally competitive tax administration firmly in control of its systems, data and strategic direction.