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Says military critical to meeting 2025 tax target
From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) chairman, Dr Zacch Adedeji, has said the agency met its 2025 tax revenue target for the oil and gas sector for the first time in a long while, attributing the feat to peace in the Niger Delta maintained by the Armed Forces.
According to a statement issued by FIRS on Wednesday, Adedeji spoke in Abuja when the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and his team visited the Revenue House on Tuesday.
The FIRS boss noted that improved security in oil-producing areas had allowed companies to increase production and profits, leading to higher tax remittances to the Federation.
He said the development was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to taxing prosperity and not poverty, stressing that prosperity could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace. He also highlighted the President’s recent approval of funds for 1,550 housing units for security personnel and the provision of modern equipment to boost their operations.
“The Armed Forces are critical stakeholders, and you are central to the sustenance of peace in the country. The coordinating director, Large Tax Group, made a presentation at the management meeting today on tax collection to date.
“And I am glad to say that, for the first time in a long while, we met our oil and gas target, which is actually as a result of the peace that has been maintained where oil and gas facilities are located. And this is because production is happening and companies are making more profit from it.
“To strengthen the morale of our security operatives, President Bola Tinubu is committed to your welfare as well as giving them state-of-the-art equipment and machinery to work with.
“Just a month ago, the President approved the disbursement of a huge amount of money for 1,550 units of housing estate for security personnel. This underscores that the President appreciates what you are doing for the country. And as you can see now, you are also critical to our success.
“We will always be open to collaborate in order to sustain peace, to increase prosperity, and develop our dear nation. On behalf of the President and all of us at FIRS, we thank you for the good job you are doing in maintaining peace and safety for all of us,” he said.
Musa commended the FIRS for rallying resources to fund the operations of the Armed Forces, saying increased revenue mobilisation had significantly supported military activities.
He said the forthcoming African Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference, to be hosted by Nigeria later this month, would be an opportunity for the continent to address its own security challenges without external interference.
The General said: “For us in the Armed Forces, we are nothing without funds. To even buy the good big guns we are carrying will be difficult without the funding. So, I want to say thank you. Over the years, you have made our job a lot easier, although we keep on asking for more.
“I think that is the goal in support of Mr President in Nigeria. This is because without the funds made available, nothing can work. We have seen that revenue has increased. In fact, I think almost tenfold.
“And we can see new initiatives being introduced that are also making a very positive impact. And it is the boldness that actually has encouraged us in what we are doing. And that is why we are putting everything we have in order to support and ensure there is peace and security in the country.
“We are hosting the maiden edition of the African Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Abuja. It’s the maiden edition, and it is happening between 25th to 27th August, 2025. Since it has never been done before, this is an avenue to showcase Nigeria to Africa and to the world.
“Over time, we have been attending. Last year, I was in Botswana. The other year, I was in Côte d’Ivoire where it was organised by the United States. With what we have seen with their security architecture, we felt that if we don’t blow our own trumpet; if you don’t sit down and handle your own situation yourself, nobody will.
“Most of these countries that always come and lie that they want to support us also create these problems that we try to solve. So having them organise these things for us is just like you are going to talk to the devil.
“So, in line with that, we feel it is important that we are able to call all chiefs of defence staff in Africa. Let us come as brothers and sisters and discuss African problems so that we can provide an African solution to them.”
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