Coalition writes NRS of fresh protest over directors appointments

By Abubakar Yunusa

A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of the Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens has formally notified the Nigerian Revenue Service of plans to commence a second phase of protest over the appointment of Executive Directors in the agency.

The notice was conveyed in a letter dated March 2, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Chairman of the NRS.

Copies were also sent to the Chief Security Officer of the Service, as well as security agencies attached to the headquarters.

The group said the planned action followed what it described as the failure of the authorities to address concerns earlier raised during a peaceful protest held on February 16, 2026.

In the letter signed by its convener, Comrade Amande M. Solomon, the coalition alleged that the appointments of five out of the six Executive Directors did not comply with provisions of Part IV, Section 17(1) of the Nigerian Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025.

The Act, signed into law by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, provides that the President shall appoint six Executive Directors, each representing a geopolitical zone on a rotational basis among states in alphabetical order. It also stipulates that the Executive Chairman and an Executive Director must not come from the same state.

The coalition claimed that certain states were appointed to represent geopolitical zones in a manner it believes is inconsistent with the alphabetical rotation principle outlined in the Act.

It argued that adherence to due process in public appointments was essential to fairness, equity and national cohesion.

The group stated that its demand “remains simple and consistent — strict compliance with the law and constitutionally approved procedures governing these appointments.”

According to the letter, the second phase of the protest is scheduled to hold on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the NRS headquarters in Abuja.

The coalition said it intends to mobilise at least 100 delegates from each of five states it considers affected, bringing the total number of protesters to about 500.

It added that the protest would be peaceful and aimed solely at drawing attention to what it views as the need for compliance with the provisions of the law.

The group urged the leadership of the Service to engage relevant authorities, including the President and the National Assembly, to ensure that the appointments align with the requirements of the Act.

It maintained that institutions responsible for enforcing revenue laws must be seen to operate strictly within the bounds of the same laws to command legitimacy and public trust.