The federal government and the FCT Administration have announced plans to end overlapping taxes in Abuja.
The latest move is aimed at creating a unified system for revenue collection across the nation’s capital.
At a stakeholders’ engagement forum on Monday, management of the FCT Internal Revenue Service, FCT-IRS, and the Nigeria Revenue Service, NRS, presented a coordinated roadmap for tax reform.
Executive Chairman of the NRS, Zacch Adedeji, described the engagement as “timely and strategic,” adding that the success of President Bola Tinubu’s fiscal reforms depends on coordination at subnational levels.
Adedeji, who was represented at the event by the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, Olusegun Adesokan, said, “Fragmented revenue systems, multiplicity of taxes, informal collection mechanisms, illegal roadblocks, and indiscriminate sale of stickers and emblems undermine compliance, raise the cost of doing business, and erode public confidence."
The tax boss advised that the FCT, as the seat of government, must reflect international governance standards through order, transparency, and uniform administration.
According to him, “Modern tax systems are digital. They are data-driven and automated. Integrated databases, electronic payment platforms, and real-time analytics strengthen audits, curb leakages, and promote transparency."
Adesokan noted that the new harmonisation laws being implemented nationwide provide clarity to taxpayers, reduce informal levies, and relieve small businesses that suffer the most from uncoordinated tax practices.
“Revenue mobilization must be rules-based, must be transparent, and must align with national reform objectives and global best practices,” he said.
While providing insight into the Service’s vision for 2026, the Acting Executive Chairman of the FCT-IRS, Michael Ango, said the harmonisation of taxes will help streamline Abuja’s revenue system to eliminate duplication and position the capital city for sustainable development.
“When we talk about harmonisation, we are not trying to take over anyone’s responsibilities. We are saying that we want to create a system that ensures efficiency in revenue collection.
We are creating a system where revenue grows as provided by the Constitution, and everyone’s revenue will still be credited appropriately.”
Ango said the FCT’s approaching 50th anniversary in 2026 makes it urgent to stabilise revenue flows to support the city’s infrastructure demands.
He praised the leadership of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, noting that Abuja has witnessed “significant infrastructural investment” since 2023.
According to him, the role of the FCT-IRS is to guarantee sustainable funding for the city’s roads, hospitals, bridges, schools, and social services.
