The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it signed with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) does not give France access to Nigerian taxpayers’ data or systems.
The DGFiP (Directorate General of Public Finances) is an agency of the French government that plays a key role in public finance management, including taxes.
On December 10, the service signed a MoU with the DGFiP on the promotion of efficient tax administration.
In a statement on Sunday, the FIRS responded to commentaries, clarifying misconceptions about the development.
“MoU is a standard, globally recognised cooperation framework focused solely on technical assistance and capacity building,” the service said.
“It does not grant France access to Nigerian taxpayers’ data, digital systems, or any element of our operational infrastructure.
“All existing Nigerian laws on data protection, cybersecurity, and sovereignty remain fully applicable and strictly enforced.
“The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), like its predecessor (FIRS), places the highest premium on national security and maintains rigorous standards for the protection of all taxpayers’ information.”
The FIRS said the MoU signed with France’s DGFiP is to leverage France’s over a century of expertise in digital transformation, taxpayer services, governance, and public finance.
“It is advisory, non-intrusive, and entirely under Nigeria’s control. Contrary to misconceptions, the MoU does not displace local technology providers,” the service said.
“FIRS and the emerging Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) continue to work closely with Nigerian innovators such as NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave.
“The MoU does not include the provision of technical services; it is limited to knowledge sharing, institutional strengthening, workforce development, policy support, and best-practice guidance.
“We welcome robust public engagement on tax reforms, but such conversations must reflect the actual content and purpose of the agreement.”
FIRS added that the MoU with France strengthens Nigeria’s sovereignty to build a modern, capable, globally competitive tax administration, one firmly in command of its systems, data, and strategic direction.
