The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed recent claims regarding the appointment of Xpress Payments as part of Nigeria’s national revenue collection system, warning that such allegations are misleading and risk politicising a purely administrative process.

In a statement signed by Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Executive Chairman, the agency responded to comments made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. FIRS stressed that it does not operate any exclusive or single-gateway system for tax collection, and no private company has been granted monopoly rights over government revenues.

The agency clarified that it uses a multi-channel framework involving multiple Payment Solution Service Providers (PSSPs), including Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact, Flutterwave, and XpressPay. This system is designed to make tax payments convenient and efficient for Nigerians while ensuring that all funds go directly into the Federation Account without diversion.

FIRS further explained that PSSPs are not collection agents and do not earn fees or percentages of government revenues. The multi-channel approach also promotes transparency, improves monitoring and reporting, and encourages innovation, competition, and job creation in the fintech sector.

The agency highlighted ongoing national tax reforms led by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, describing them as crucial for Nigeria’s economic modernisation. FIRS urged political actors to refrain from misrepresenting administrative procedures, emphasizing that the country’s tax system is too vital to be undermined by misinformation or controversy.