The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has welcomed a new cohort of professionals, following what it described as one of the most transparent and merit-based recruitment processes in Nigeria’s public sector.
Conducted under the agency’s ‘Work With Us’ initiative, the exercise has been widely praised as a benchmark in fair public service hiring. The induction ceremony took place at the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, led by the Executive Chairman, Dr. Zachs Adedeji.
Dr. Adedeji reaffirmed that the selection process was grounded strictly in merit, not connections or favouritism. “This marks not only the beginning of your employment but also a personal and national journey,” he told the inductees. “Your skills, integrity, and dedication will play a vital role in shaping Nigeria’s fiscal future.”
The recruitment process featured digital assessments and virtual interviews conducted by 10 independent panels to ensure fairness and integrity. Dr. Adedeji explained that the initiative reflects his broader vision of building a people-centric institution, where FIRS staff handle at least 80% of the agency’s work internally.
He noted that FIRS is undergoing a major transformation rooted in three pillars: People, Processes, and Technology, with people at the heart of it all. “Technology doesn’t replace competence,” he said, “it enhances precision, speed, and effectiveness.”
Highlighting FIRS’s evolving role, Dr. Adedeji emphasized the agency’s shift from a revenue collector to a strategic partner in national economic resilience. He urged the recruits to embrace innovation and uphold the highest ethical standards. Quoting a Yoruba proverb, he remarked: “A child not well-educated will sell the house built.”
Reinforcing this message, Collins Osagie Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy, described the new staff as “co-architects of Nigeria’s future,” stressing their crucial role in the people-driven reforms at FIRS.
This induction programme will equip recruits with knowledge in tax administration, ethics, digital tools, and the FIRS 2025 Roadmap, preparing them to support the agency’s reform agenda and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s fiscal stability.
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