FIRS Becomes Nigeria Revenue Service Ahead of 2026 Tax Reforms

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially rebranded as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), unveiling a new name and corporate identity as Nigeria prepares to implement a new tax regime from January 1, 2026.

The new identity was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Mr Zacch Adedeji. The rebranding follows the enactment of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025.

With the passage of the Act, the NRS formally replaces the FIRS as Nigeria’s central revenue authority, expanding its institutional mandate under the country’s comprehensive tax reform programme.

Speaking at the unveiling, Adedeji said the new identity reflects a strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s revenue administration architecture in line with the Federal Government’s economic transformation agenda. According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, Adedeji said the rebrand signals a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system aligned with global best practices.

He described the new logo and brand elements as a critical milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework, noting that the transition signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.

Adedeji also assured Nigerians that transparency, collaboration, and service excellence would remain central to the operations of the Nigeria Revenue Service, adding that the rebranding marks the beginning of a stronger relationship between the revenue authority and the public built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity.

The rebranding comes amid ongoing public debate over Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws. President Tinubu has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the reforms as scheduled, rejecting calls for their suspension. He noted that while some provisions of the tax laws took effect on June 26, 2025, others are due to commence on January 1, 2026, and described the reforms as a long-term effort to promote fairness, competitiveness, and economic sustainability rather than impose additional tax burdens on Nigerians.

As part of the new tax framework, the National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission now automatically serves as a Tax Identification Number for individual Nigerians, while the Corporate Affairs Commission registration number will function as the Tax ID for registered businesses under the new system.