By Stanley Onyekwere
The Management of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) has defended its decision to engage external experts via secondment, describing the move as a strategic necessity to shore up the agency’s revenue collection and hit its multi-billion naira targets.
In a press statement responding to recent protests, the Service clarified that the engagement of 12 personnel from the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) was a calculated move to leverage high-level expertise in sub-national revenue administration.
The management noted that this “inter-agency support” has already added significant value to operations and is a standard practice across government agencies to ensure financial goals are met.
Addressing the friction caused by the secondment, the Service explained that the move provides temporary support while the FCT-IRS expands its own organizational structure.
It added that the experts are specifically tasked with enhancing the efficiency of tax collection.
It also noted that personnel will return to their parent agencies once internal staff are sufficiently trained to fill the expanded roles.
It further added that to support its revenue drive, the FCT-IRS has aggressively upgraded its technical capacity over the last two years.
The agency revealed that it distributed 240 high-quality laptops, replacing the fewer than 100 functional units that existed in 2021.
“Since August 2024, staff have attended 105 training events, ensuring every member of the workforce is equipped with modern revenue-generation skills.
“ Management is currently paying professional body subscriptions for all staff to ensure a high standard of tax administration”, the statement stated.
The Service also addressed staff concerns regarding promotions and welfare, viewing their resolution as a means to maintain a motivated “backbone” for the organization.
Management confirmed that the report for the December 2025 promotion exams has been submitted for approval. Once cleared, successful staff will assume new ranks backdated to their eligibility.
The FCT-IRS further noted that it has cleared allowance backlogs dating back to 2021 and is currently engaging with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission for a formal salary review.
According to the statement signed by the management,
“While a group of individuals staged a protest, the officially recognized Staff Union has distanced itself from the action, choosing instead to engage in constructive dialogue with the leadership.
“The Management remains firm that these reforms and strategic placements are essential for the Service to meet its ambitious revenue mandates for the Federal Capital Territory.”
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