FIRS debunks Atiku’s claims on TSA collection system, warns against politicising Tax administration

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has dismissed recent claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar regarding the appointment of Xpress Payments as a major channel in the Treasury Single Account (TSA) revenue collection system, describing the comments as incorrect and misleading.

In a statement issued on Saturday by Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, the agency said Atiku’s remarks risk politicising a process that is purely administrative and technical.

According to the FIRS, no private entity has been granted monopoly or exclusive control over government revenues.

It stressed that the service currently operates a multi-channel, multi–Payment Solution Service Provider (PSSP) framework that includes platforms such as Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact, Flutterwave and XpressPay.

The agency emphasised that PSSPs are not revenue collection agents and do not earn processing fees or percentages from government payments.

All revenues collected, it noted, go directly into the Federation Account without diversion or private custody.

The statement outlined key features of the TSA framework, including the opening up of the platform to multiple PSSPs to eliminate dominance, improved reporting and monitoring for greater efficiency, as well as opportunities for job creation and innovation within the financial technology sector.

It added that onboarding new PSSPs follows a transparent and verifiable process.

FIRS also highlighted the ongoing national tax reform led by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, describing it as a critical element of Nigeria’s economic modernisation anchored on transparency and efficiency.

It cautioned political actors against dragging tax administration into partisan conflict.

“We urge Mr. Atiku Abubakar and others to refrain from mischaracterising routine administrative processes for political gain.

“Nigeria’s tax system is too important to be subjected to misinformation,” the agency stated.

The FIRS reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and the continued strengthening of national revenue systems.