The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has rejected claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the selection of Xpress Payments as a channel for federal revenue collection was politically motivated. The agency described Atiku’s allegations as “misleading” and warned that they could distort public perception of Nigeria’s tax administration system. Atiku had previously accused the Federal Government of granting Xpress Payments a “monopoly” over tax collection, a claim the FIRS strongly denied.
Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, emphasized that Atiku’s assertions were inaccurate and risk politicizing what is essentially a technical and administrative process. She clarified that the FIRS does not operate through an exclusive payment gateway, and no private company has been given control over government funds. Currently, multiple Payment Solution Service Providers (PSSPs), including Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact, Flutterwave, and XpressPay, are used to facilitate tax payments and improve accessibility for taxpayers across the country.
Atoyebi noted that PSSPs do not act as revenue collectors and do not retain any portion of the funds. All revenues collected are remitted directly into the Federation Account without intermediaries or private management, and no provider has custody of government money. The system is intentionally structured to prevent dominance by any single platform, enhance accountability, and encourage innovation in the fintech sector. She also highlighted that onboarding of payment providers follows a transparent, competitive, and verifiable process, ensuring fairness to all market participants.
The FIRS stated that Atiku’s criticism was unnecessary during a period of ongoing tax reforms led by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, aimed at modernizing the economy. The agency reiterated its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and strengthening national revenue collection, warning against misinformation that could politicize administrative processes.
Xpress Payment Solutions was officially appointed as a collecting agent under the Treasury Single Account (TSA) on November 19, 2025. This arrangement allows taxpayers using the FIRS TaxPro Max platform to choose XpressPay when generating Payment Reference Numbers.
In contrast, Atiku urged the immediate suspension of the appointment, claiming the process lacked transparency and resembled the controversial Alpha Beta revenue model previously used in Lagos State. He described the engagement of Xpress Payments as creating a “private toll gate” around public funds, benefiting a politically connected few. Atiku also criticized the timing, arguing that introducing such a policy amid worsening insecurity was insensitive, and accused the government of bypassing public consultation, stakeholder engagement, and National Assembly oversight. He called for a public inquiry, disclosure of contractual terms, and a full audit of TSA operations to prevent what he described as privatization of government revenue.
The TSA is a public finance initiative designed to consolidate government revenues into a single account, promoting transparency and reducing leakages. Although recommended by the World Bank in 2004, partial adoption began in 2012, with full implementation in 2015 under President Muhammadu Buhari. The system has tightened oversight of federal revenue, though discussions continue over the role of private companies in its operation and the transparency of associated procurement processes.
