By Othuke Evroh
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday officially commissioned the new ultra-modern Corporate Headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in Abuja, highlighting a pivotal landmark in the Federal Government’s ongoing overhaul of the country’s revenue administration framework.
The new ultra-modern complex, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), was unveiled before a crowd of senior government officials, lawmakers, and business leaders from Nigeria and China.
The commissioning ceremony drew a cross-section of dignitaries and top government functionaries, including Senate President Godswil Akpabio, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas and Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
Others present included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; and State Governors, among others.
President Bola Tinubu, who performed the ribbon-cutting, in his brief speech stated that on his inauguration day, he made a solemn pledge that we will move Nigeria from the deamest of uncertainty into the clear light of Renewed Hope. I committed that, that we will confront structural weaknesses, restore fairness and build an economy anchored on discipline, equity and opportunity.
”Today I stand before you to reaffirm before you that these words were not mere rhetoric. They were a covenant with the Nigerian people.”
”We are not gathered here merely to commissioning a building, we are here to mark a milestone in a larger national journey, the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and rebuilding of confidence in public institution”, the President said.
The President further stated that no serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system, just as no government can demand trust from its citizens where taxation is opaque, inefficient or unjust.
”That is why this administration took the bold decision to embark on far-reaching tax and fiscal reforms. Reforms designed to simplify our system, eliminate distortions and create a fair, transparent and investment friendly environment.”
”The building of the NRS is more than concrete and steel. It is a symbol of a new standard of professionalism, transparency, efficiency and service. It reflects our resolve that institutions must rise to meet the demand of reforms and the expectations of the Nigerian people,” the President declared.
Also speaking at the Event, the Managing Director of CCECC, Mr. Guan Shuai, reiterated that tax reform plays a very important role in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu’s led administration.
”We know during the past 10 days, His Excellency has visited Plateau state, Ogun state Lagos and Bayelsa states. Actually, I was always asking myself what is essence of Renewed Hope Agenda in my mind. It is difficult to answer. But when I saw in Bayelsa witnessing His Excellency commissioning one of our projects, I saw the infrastructure development and people came together welcome and follow His Excellency with Hope and expectation on their faces. I think I got the answer,” he declared.
Mr. Guan also noted that President Bola Tinubu is an exceptional leader who dares to change, who dares to reform and who brings the country development and hope.
Further, while concluding his address, the MD of CCECC stated that the completion of the NRS Headquarters is not merely the delivery of a project; ”This multi-storey complex stands as a powerful testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda. It marks a new chapter in the nation’s development under the leadership of our president’, he stated.
NRS Executive Chairman, Zacch Adedeji in his address said the project is a representation of the success of the reforms, describing the President’s leadership as transformative.
”Without any fear of contradiction, you are the greatest gift bestowed on this republic,” Adedeji stated.
The NRS Executive Chairman also noted that the headquarters symbolises that reform is ”not abstract, rather, it is real… not theoretical, but implemented,” insisting that tax reforms require discipline, patience and coordination across institutions.
The newly inaugurated NRS complex features 16 floors spread across three towers with a capacity to accommodate about 3,000 personnel.
The event underscores not only the formal transition from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), but also an upgraded infrastructure plus policy reform that will boost revenue performance at a time of fiscal constraints.
