Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service has been formally rebranded as the Nigeria Revenue Service as the country prepares to transition into a new tax regime from January 1, 2026. The new corporate identity was unveiled in Abuja, marking the full implementation of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025, signed into law in June last year.
With the enactment of the law, the Nigeria Revenue Service has officially replaced the former tax authority as the country’s central revenue agency, with an expanded mandate under Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform programme. The rebranding is positioned as a structural shift rather than a cosmetic change, reflecting broader reforms aimed at strengthening revenue administration and improving compliance.
Speaking at the unveiling, the head of the agency said the new identity represents a strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s revenue system to align with the country’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices. He explained that the transition signals continuity of purpose, stronger institutional capacity and a more forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers while driving national development.
According to the revenue authority, the rebrand underscores a renewed focus on transparency, collaboration and service delivery. The agency said the new identity marks the beginning of a stronger relationship with taxpayers, built on trust, clarity and shared prosperity, rather than the imposition of additional burdens.
The unveiling comes amid continued public debate over Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws. The Federal Government has reaffirmed that the reforms will be implemented as scheduled, despite calls for suspension. While some of the laws took effect in June 2025, others are set to commence on January 1, 2026, forming a central pillar of efforts to rebuild Nigeria’s fiscal framework. The reforms have been described by the government as long-term measures designed to promote fairness, competitiveness and economic sustainability.
For small businesses and individual taxpayers, the reforms also introduce a more integrated identification system. The revenue authority recently announced that the National Identification Number issued to individuals now automatically serves as a tax identification number, while registered businesses will use their Corporate Affairs Commission registration numbers as their tax IDs under the new system. The move is expected to simplify compliance, reduce duplication and lower administrative hurdles for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises adapting to the new tax regime.
