The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has clarified that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) it entered into with France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) does not permit France to access Nigerian taxpayers’ data or internal systems.
The DGFiP, also known as the Directorate General of Public Finances, is a French government agency responsible for public finance administration, including taxation.
On December 10, FIRS signed the MoU with the DGFiP to promote more efficient tax administration.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the service addressed public reactions to the agreement, dispelling what it described as misconceptions surrounding the partnership.
According to FIRS, the MoU is “a standard, globally recognised cooperation framework focused solely on technical assistance and capacity building”.
“It does not grant France access to Nigerian taxpayers’ data, digital systems, or any element of our operational infrastructure,” the statement said.
“All existing Nigerian laws on data protection, cybersecurity, and sovereignty remain fully applicable and strictly enforced.
“The Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), like its predecessor (FIRS), places the highest premium on national security and maintains rigorous standards for the protection of all taxpayers’ information.”
The service explained that the agreement is designed to draw from France’s more than a century of experience in areas such as digital transformation, taxpayer services, governance, and public finance management.
FIRS stressed that the MoU is advisory in nature, non-intrusive, and fully controlled by Nigeria, adding that it does not sideline local technology providers.
“FIRS and the emerging Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) continue to collaborate closely with Nigerian innovators such as NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave,” the statement noted.
The service further stated that the MoU does not involve the delivery of technical services, but is limited to knowledge exchange, institutional strengthening, workforce development, policy support, and guidance on best practices.
While welcoming public discourse on tax reforms, FIRS urged that such discussions be based on an accurate understanding of the agreement.
The service concluded that the MoU with France enhances Nigeria’s sovereignty by supporting the development of a modern, efficient, and globally competitive tax administration that retains full control over its systems, data, and strategic direction.