Apprehensions as Tinubu government partners France over digital tax reform {NEWS ANALYSIS}

*What France lost in Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali Nigeria has just handed to it on a platter of gold

By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTER, Abuja

What is worrisome to many is how Tinubu continues to play into the gallery vindicating every Nigerian who has rumoured or predicted how he would replicate in Abuja his complete takeover of Lagos State politically and economically, without pity, thus continuing to marginalise and deprive the owners of the land and indigenes to whom Nigeria’s Constitution bequeathed the State from having access to political powers of their own state for 26 years of democracy in the ongoing Forth Republic.

Amidst continued loss of public trust that makes every action and inaction of government subject of suspicion and controversy, the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government is in for another stalemate with an agreement it has made its Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to sign with France, which it described as aiming at modernising Nigeria’s tax administration.

It said this was being done through digital transformation, capacity development and improved cross-border enforcement.

But, to a section of the population, this action of the president is handling over a most personal and corporate profiled data base on all Nigerians to France by the FIRS, thus making the country and its good people to be in great mess and open to danger intentionally, the more.

What is worrisome to many is how Tinubu continues to play into the gallery vindicating every Nigerian who has rumoured or predicted how he would replicate in Abuja his complete takeover of Lagos State politically and economically, without pity, thus continuing to marginalise and deprive the owners of the land and indigenes to whom Nigeria’s Constitution bequeathed the State from having access to political powers of their own state for 26 years of democracy in the ongoing Forth Republic.

These worries are informed by the fact that the agreement Tinubu’s government has used his Zacch Adedeji-led FIRS to sign means that France, one of yet to stop Western colonialists who keep finding a way to catch the black race back to control (Nigeria inclusive), now has unhindered access to all Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) data of all Nigerians, a development that is considered to be like “the gatekeeper himself opening the house up for thief to enter”, a concerned citizen expressed.

The DEFENDER reports that the tax agreement between Nigeria and France comes barely weeks before the formal transition into the Nigeria Revenue Service by January 2026.

FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji and the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Marc Fonbaustier, signed the memorandum of understanding on behalf of both countries.

The disclosure was contained in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Dare Adekanmbi, on Wednesday.

The agreement, signed at the French Embassy in Abuja, brings FIRS into a formal working partnership with France’s tax authority, Direction Générale des Finances Publiques, one of Europe’s most technologically advanced revenue agencies.

Adedeji said the partnership symbolises a shared ambition to build “stronger, more resilient and forward-looking” tax systems at a time global public finance is being reshaped by technology, artificial intelligence and cross-border digital commerce.

The FIRS chairman listed digital transformation as a central pillar of the pact, noting that Nigeria aims to leverage France’s experience in automated compliance systems, data-driven audits and taxpayer service platforms.

According to him, France stands to benefit from Nigeria’s rapid digital expansion, its youthful and tech-savvy population, and the innovative solutions emerging from Africa’s largest market.

“This two-way exchange is essential as both countries adapt to emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence deployment, cybersecurity and cross-border taxation,” Adedeji said.

He added that FIRS will deepen engagements with other global partners as the agency prepares for its evolution into the NRS under the new Fiscal Responsibility and Revenue Administration reforms.

Adedeji highlighted workforce development as another strategic area of collaboration, stating that Nigeria hopes to adopt France’s structured human capital systems, professional standards, and continuous learning culture.

At the same time, he said Nigeria’s experience managing a young, diverse and fast-paced workforce would offer DGFiP fresh insights into building modern public finance institutions.

“Another important aspect is workforce development. While we look forward to learning from France’s well-structured human capital systems, particularly in professional standards, continuous learning, and organisational discipline, we also believe that our experience in managing a young, dynamic and diverse workforce will offer valuable insights to DGFIP.

Together, we can develop models that strengthen institutional culture, build global competencies, and prepare our respective institutions for the future of public finance administration.

“We also anticipate strong bilateral cooperation in international taxation, exchange of information, transfer pricing, and Base Erosion and Profit Shifting BEPS – related work,” he stated.

The MoU also covers cooperation on international taxation, exchange of information, transfer pricing and tackling Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, a growing concern for governments as businesses increasingly operate across borders.

“As economic activities become increasingly borderless, the ability of both our institutions to collaborate, share intelligence and harmonise approaches will be crucial,” Adedeji noted.

In the past decade, Nigeria has struggled with low tax-to-GDP ratios, averaging 6 to 10 per cent, far below the African average of 15 per cent.

The Federal Government is banking on improved digital systems, unified tax administration, and stronger international cooperation to raise revenue without imposing new taxes.

The Tax Act reforms aim to expand the tax base, simplify compliance, improve transparency, and align Nigeria’s tax laws with global standards, especially given the rise of the digital economy, cross-border business and modern financial instruments.

France is among the global leaders in digital tax reforms, having deployed advanced e-filing systems, algorithm-driven compliance tools and real-time data analytics in its tax administration.

Adedeji said the pact will serve as one of the cornerstones of Nigeria’s transition into a more transparent, technology-driven revenue service capable of keeping pace with global shifts in taxation.

“As Nigeria moves into the era of the Nigerian Revenue Service, we see this partnership as a foundation for building a modern, trusted, innovative and globally connected revenue administration,” the statement concluded.

Nigerians react

One of many Nigerians who have kicked against the agreement, an anonymous, said, “This is handling over a most personal and corporate profiled data base on all Nigerians to France by the FIRS. We are in great trouble.

“All BVN and NIN data collected on all Nigerians would be gifted to France on a platter of Gold.

‘France and the whole Western world with their British – M15, USA – CIA, Israel – MOSSAD spy agencies have been granted Nigeria’s most intimate data by the Tinubu administration.

“FIRS and Tinubu have so brazenly foisted on us an avenue for Neo-Colonial take over of Nigeria’s socio-economic information.

“What France has lost from its colonies across West Africa, has just been handed over by Nigeria.

“But who does this for goodness sake? Shall we let President Tinubu get away with this great crime against all Nigerians?” The concerned Nigerian said.