TheCable

Muhammad Nami, the former executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), says the agency generated N8 trillion in eight months as the country’s tax-to-gross domestic product “rose to 10.86 percent” under his leadership.

On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu directed Nami to embark on a terminal leave, easing the taxman out of office.

The president appointed Zaccheus Adedeji, a former Oyo state commissioner of finance, to replace him.

In a farewell statement, Nami thanked ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, and Tinubu, for the opportunity to serve the country and humanity.

He also appreciated the entire staff of the FIRS, esteemed taxpayers, and Nigerians for their support and cooperation.

Nami said the support and cooperation he received enabled his team to meet their targets and set new records for tax collection in Nigeria.

“Even as I take my bow, we have so far collected more than N8 trillion in eight months and would have set a new record of a minimum of N13 trillion at the end of this tax year,” he said.

“During the inauguration of the erstwhile board members of the service, I promised to raise the country’s tax-to-GDP ratio from 6% to 10% in 4-years. We already have achieved a Tax-to-GDP ratio of 10.86% within two years (i.e. as at 31st December 2021.).

“I can, therefore, say that I am leaving as a fulfilled man knowing that I have served diligently. I am equally leaving a service that is built on world-class best practices. Indeed, it couldn’t have been more fulfilling.”

Nami also encouraged staff, taxpayers, and Nigerians to extend the same measure of cooperation to the incoming executive chairman, to enable him to succeed.

He added that tax collection is a sensitive matter that requires all hands to be on deck to achieve.