Isaac Samuel
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday lightened the mood at the inauguration of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) headquarters in Abuja, joking that Senate President Godswill Akpabio could be “sent to the other side” to disorganise the opposition.
Addressing dignitaries at the event, Tinubu said: “Senate President, I will send you to the other side to represent me. And then you can scatter them in any way you want. They’re confused!”
The President concluded his remarks with a patriotic note, saying: “God bless Nigeria, God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the tax collectors.”
Beyond the humour, Tinubu used the occasion to restate his administration’s commitment to economic reforms aimed at strengthening fiscal discipline, restoring fairness, and rebuilding public trust in governance.
“We are here to mark a milestone in the Nigerian national journey — a reaffirmation of our fiscal foundation and a rebuilding of confidence in public institutions,” he said.
He stressed that no nation can achieve sustainable prosperity with a weak and fragmented economic system, adding that his government’s reforms were designed to improve transparency, efficiency, and accountability in taxation.
According to him, the administration has taken “bold decisions” to simplify the tax system, eliminate distortions, and create a more investment-friendly environment. He said early results were already visible in improved fiscal stability, stronger reserves, and rising investor confidence.
Tinubu described the newly inaugurated NRS headquarters as a symbol of institutional renewal, noting that the 16-floor facility across three towers can accommodate over 3,000 staff and will serve as the operational backbone of a reformed revenue system.
He added that the agency’s expanded mandate now includes coordinating non-tax revenues across federal institutions, supported by digital systems and data-driven compliance mechanisms.
“These are not incremental adjustments, but a deliberate break from a past defined by leakage, fragmentation and underperformance,” he said.
The President urged the agency to prioritise trust-building and fairness in revenue collection, insisting that government must demonstrate accountability and efficiency.
“We must not only collect revenue; we must build trust,” he added.
Tinubu also commended Nigerians for their resilience amid ongoing reforms, saying the country’s future would be shaped by deliberate choices rather than chance. He declared the facility open shortly after his remarks.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking at the event, attributed rising insecurity in the country to political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also referenced reactions to an alleged social media post linked to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, noting that political narratives were becoming increasingly charged ahead of the polls.
