FIRS Launches Unified SOP to Streamline Tax Services Nationwide

In a major move to reform Nigeria’s tax system, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at eliminating inconsistencies across its 300+ offices nationwide. This initiative is designed to make tax processes simpler, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians to navigate.

FIRS Launches Unified SOP to Streamline Tax Services Nationwide

According to Mr. Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, the updated SOP is central to improving the taxpayer experience. He noted that in the past, varying procedures across different FIRS offices often caused confusion and frustration for individuals and businesses alike.

“This is about people, experience, and impact,” Omokaro said. “It’s a step toward building a tax system that encourages voluntary compliance and supports national development.”

What the New SOP Delivers

The new framework introduces a unified process for core tax functions, including:

• Taxpayer registration
• Payment procedures
• Audit processes
• Enforcement protocols

By establishing a single, nationwide standard, FIRS aims to deliver a fairer, more consistent service—regardless of location.
Leadership Perspective

Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, emphasized that the SOP is more than a technical manual; it reflects the agency’s evolving identity.

“This SOP is not just a set of rules—it’s a statement of who we are becoming as a service. It embodies our dedication to transparency and our responsibility to serve the Nigerian people,” he said.

Driving Digital Transformation and Efficiency

The new SOP also aligns with FIRS’s ongoing digital transformation, integrating technology with human processes to enhance speed, accuracy, and efficiency in tax services. It serves as a vital tool for internal operations by offering clear directives and improving staff training across the board.

Omokaro added,

“With this rollout, every staff member has a clear mandate: understand it, implement it, and live by it. That’s how we will build public trust.”
A Step Toward a Service-Driven Tax System

This reform is part of a broader strategy by FIRS to become a more service-oriented and taxpayer-focused organization. With an emphasis on clarity, consistency, and national progress, the agency hopes the standardized SOP will reshape public perception and foster stronger engagement with Nigeria’s tax system.