Dr. Zacch Adedeji has left a distinctive imprint on Nigeria's revenue administration in just three years. He was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service in September 2023, at a critical moment for the country, with enormous fiscal pressures and an urgent need to strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation. Since then, the institution has undergone a transformation driven by technology, data, institutional reforms, and a renewed emphasis on taxpayer confidence.
The numbers tell a remarkable story, with Nigeria's total revenue collection rising from ₦6.8 trillion five years ago to ₦28.7 trillion by the end of 2025. The money available to the Federation increased from ₦711 billion in May 2023 to ₦3.6 trillion by September 2025. These figures represent more than the success of a revenue agency, as they have implications for the Federal Government, the 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and the 774 local governments.
Adedeji has been attempting to change the way Nigeria understands and administers revenue, transforming the institution into a broader revenue administration hub. The Nigeria Revenue Service unveiled its new tagline: "Inspiring Trust, Sustaining Growth," which reflects its transition from a tax-focused organisation into a broader revenue administration institution responsible for both tax and non-tax revenues.
The new tagline emerged from an internal competition that attracted 3,308 submissions from NRS staff. "Inspiring Trust" speaks directly to one of the biggest challenges facing any tax institution: the relationship between the taxpayer and the government. "Sustaining Growth" points to the larger economic objective, as revenue collection is not an end in itself, but a means to finance infrastructure, security, education, healthcare, and other public obligations.
The NRS has positioned the tagline as more than a branding exercise, stressing that technology, branding, and slogans alone cannot transform revenue administration. The real value lies in building a modern, integrated, technology-enabled, and data-driven institution that can improve compliance and revenue without relying simply on higher tax rates.
One of the most visible changes has been the digitalisation of tax administration, with taxpayers increasingly able to file returns, make payments, and access tax-related services digitally. Electronic invoicing has also become an important component of the reform agenda, providing the revenue authority with greater visibility into transactions and helping to strengthen compliance.
The institutional transformation has also been physical, with the completion of the 16-storey NRS headquarters in Abuja, a project that had remained incomplete for more than two decades. The building accommodates about 3,000 staff and includes a data-processing centre, training facilities, an auditorium, a clinic, a library, and a gym, symbolising the larger transformation of the agency itself.
Key points
- The Nigeria Revenue Service has collected ₦28.7 trillion in revenue by the end of 2025, up from ₦6.8 trillion five years ago.
- The new NRS tagline, "Inspiring Trust, Sustaining Growth," reflects the institution's transition into a broader revenue administration hub.
- The digitalisation of tax administration has improved compliance and revenue, with taxpayers able to file returns, make payments, and access tax-related services digitally.
