Political Clash Over Revenue Collection System
The Federal Inland Revenue Service has strongly rejected allegations made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar concerning the appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited within the Treasury Single Account framework. In a statement released on Sunday, November 23, 2025, the revenue agency described Atiku's claims as incorrect and misleading.
Atiku's Allegations of State Capture
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had taken to social media to express serious concerns about the inclusion of Xpress Payments in the TSA system. He characterized the move as a covert attempt to privatize national revenue collection, drawing parallels with the Alpha Beta revenue model that operated in Lagos State during the Tinubu era.
Atiku warned that this development risked transforming Nigeria from a republic into what he called a private holding company controlled by a small circle of vested interests. He particularly criticized the timing of the appointment, noting it coincided with periods of national mourning over security challenges.
The former vice president raised several critical questions about the process, including:
- Lack of consultation and stakeholder engagement
- Absence of National Assembly oversight
- Unclear value addition compared to existing TSA channels
- Need for transparency in terms, beneficiaries, and fee structures
FIRS Firm Rebuttal
In a swift response, the Federal Inland Revenue Service issued a firm rebuttal through a statement signed by Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman. The agency emphasized that no monopoly had been granted to any private entity in the revenue collection system.
The FIRS clarified that Nigeria operates a multi-channel, multi-Payment Solution Service Provider framework that includes several companies such as:
- Quickteller
- Remita
- Etranzact
- Flutterwave
- Xpress Payments
According to the revenue service, all PSSPs are admitted through a transparent, open, and verifiable procedure that ensures fairness and equal opportunity. The agency stressed that these service providers do not act as collection agents, do not earn processing fees per payment, and have no access to government funds, which are remitted directly into the Federation Account.
The FIRS explained that the multi-channel framework is designed to improve efficiency, broaden options for taxpayers, and enhance accountability while promoting innovation and employment within Nigeria's growing financial technology sector.
The agency concluded by emphasizing that ongoing tax reform efforts aim to modernize Nigeria's revenue system and should not be dragged into partisan controversy, maintaining that the process is purely administrative and technical in nature.
