The Federal Inland Revenue Service has launched a new Standard Operating Procedure to eliminate inconsistencies in tax administration across its 300 offices nationwide.
The initiative aims to streamline tax processes, enhance transparency, and improve service delivery for taxpayers.
In a statement, Mr. Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, emphasized that the updated SOP is central to the agency’s transformation agenda. He noted that previously, varying procedures across FIRS offices often created confusion for taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step toward a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP establishes uniform guidelines for critical processes, including taxpayer registration, payment procedures, audits, and enforcement. By standardizing operations, the FIRS seeks to ensure fairness, predictability, and efficiency in tax administration.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, FIRS Executive Chairman, highlighted the broader significance of the reform, stating: “This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people.”
The framework also aligns with FIRS’s ongoing digital transformation, integrating technology with human processes to deliver faster and more reliable services. Additionally, it includes enhanced staff training programs to ensure consistent implementation across all offices.
Omokaro stressed the importance of staff adherence to the new guidelines, saying: “With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians.”
The SOP introduction forms part of FIRS’s broader strategy to transition into a customer-centric organization focused on operational clarity, service efficiency, and national economic growth. The agency anticipates that the standardized procedures will not only improve taxpayer experience but also strengthen public confidence in Nigeria’s tax system.
