The former Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Muhammad Nami, has called on Nigerians—both individuals and businesses—to remain committed to tax compliance, stressing that national development cannot happen by chance, but by the conscious contributions of citizens through taxation.
Speaking to journalists in Minna on Saturday, Nami described tax payment as a patriotic act and the cornerstone of the social contract between governments and the governed. According to him, the transformational infrastructure and public services enjoyed in developed nations are not spontaneous but are the direct outcomes of effective taxation and responsible governance.
“It is my appeal to businesses and citizens of our country to continue to pay their taxes to the government,” Nami said. “The best hospitals, roads, bridges, airports, schools, basic amenities like water, electricity, as well as the security of lives and properties do not happen by accident. The businesses and citizens of countries all over the world make it happen by entrusting their government with the taxes they pay.”
While affirming that development is a shared responsibility, Nami urged government at all levels to honour the trust of taxpayers by investing revenue in projects and services that directly enhance the quality of life for Nigerians.
“On the part of the Government, it is my appeal that taxes paid by the citizens and businesses should be invested in basic physical and organizational structures and facilities—such as hospitals, schools, public buildings, roads, and power supplies—for the greater benefit of humanity. This is globally called the social contract,” he stated.
Nami’s comments come at a time when conversations around fiscal accountability and citizens’ trust in government are intensifying across the country. His remarks not only reinforce the role of taxation in nation-building but also highlight the mutual responsibilities embedded in democratic governance.
During his tenure as FIRS chairman, Nami was known for his efforts to expand the tax net and improve voluntary compliance among Nigeria’s economically active population. His legacy includes advocacy for fair taxation and reforms to simplify the process for individuals and enterprises.
Muhammad Nami also oversaw Nigeria’s highest-ever tax revenue collection, hitting a record ₦10.1 trillion in 2022. His leadership was marked by steady year-on-year growth, a strategic shift from oil-dependent revenues to non-oil taxes, and the introduction of digital reforms such as the TaxPro Max platform. These efforts broadened the tax net, improved compliance, and positioned taxation as a reliable pillar of national development.
Nami’s remarks on Saturday reaffirm his continued commitment to fostering a culture of civic responsibility and government accountability—principles that remain vital for Nigeria’s long-term economic stability and social development.
