Technology crucial to implementing new tax laws – Adedeji

The Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji, has described technology as central to the effective implementation of Nigeria’s new tax laws.

Adedeji made this known on Wednesday while delivering the inaugural convocation lecture at the Federal Polytechnic, Ayede, in Ogo-Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State. The lecture was titled “The Role of Technology in Implementing Nigeria’s New Tax Laws: Challenges, Prospects, and Implications for National Development.”

In a statement issued by his Technical Assistant on Print Media, Sikiru Akinola, Adedeji identified key challenges facing tax administration, including inadequate infrastructure, skills gaps, lack of trust and resistance to change. He said these issues would be addressed through the ongoing upgrade of Nigeria’s tax system to support digital operations.

According to him, the newly enacted tax laws represent the most far-reaching overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal framework in five decades. He explained that beyond legal reforms, the laws fundamentally redefine how authority functions within the tax system, marking a shift from manual tax collection to data-driven tax intelligence.

Adedeji noted that the new laws assume the availability of reliable taxpayer identification, integrated data systems, traceable transactions, automated processes and scalable enforcement mechanisms. He stressed that the laws are designed for a digital environment and cannot function effectively within a fragmented, paper-based system.

He added that technology is essential to reducing excessive human discretion in tax administration, which often leads to inconsistency, mistrust and non-compliance. With improved infrastructure, stronger capacity, greater trust and better management of resistance, technology can deliver outcomes that policy alone cannot achieve.

Adedeji further highlighted that a technology-driven tax system offers the opportunity to expand the tax base without raising tax rates. He said improved visibility of economic activities would promote fairness, ease pressure on existing taxpayers and enhance the legitimacy of the tax system, leading to sustainable revenue growth.

Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, urged graduating students to serve as worthy ambassadors of the institution and continue to pursue knowledge. He was represented by the senator representing Oyo North, AbdulFatai Buhari.

The Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Yakubu Datti, praised Adedeji for spearheading reforms in Nigeria’s tax structure, while the Rector, Dr Taofeek Abdul-Hameed, encouraged graduates to draw inspiration from Adedeji’s career, noting that he began his academic journey at a polytechnic.