Tax Matters: Opposition coalition raises concern over Nigeria-France digital transformation MoU

*Nigeria’s opposition coalition African Democratic Congress expresses concern over the recent digital tax Memorandum of Understanding between Nigeria and France, stating the agreement raises serious questions about ‘transparency, national sovereignty, and the safety’ of Nigerian consumers’ data

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The opposition coalition party African Democratic Congress (ADC) has expressed concern over the recent digital tax Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and France.

The ADC warned that the latest bilateral deal between the two countries raises serious questions about transparency, national sovereignty and the safety of Nigerian consumers’ data.

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ConsumerConnect had reported the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and France’s Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFP) Wednesday, December 10, 2025, in Abuja, FCT, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on areas of mutual interest and promotion of efficient tax administration in their economies.

The FIRS said the event reflected a shared commitment to building stronger, more resilient, and more forward-looking tax administrations for the two countries, as it prepares to take off on a strong footing, when it transitions to the “Nigeria Revenue Service” (NRS) January 2026.

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Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of FIRS, who stated this while speaking at the French Embassy, Wednesday, signed for FIRS, while Marc Fonbaustier, French Ambassador to Nigeria, signed on behalf of DGFP.

The two countries emphasised the importance of bilateral collaboration between the two countries as part of measures to build much “stronger, resilient, and more forward-looking tax administrations” for the two economies.

Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser to the FIRS Executive Chairman on Media, who disclosed in a statement that Dr. Adedeji said the listed digital transformation in the MoU is such a critical area in which Nigeria could leverage France’s advanced use of technology in compliance management, taxpayer services, and data-driven enforcement.

Abdullahi: ADC concerned about Nigerians’ data security, economic sovereignty

Commenting on the digital transformation of tax administration in Nigeria, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary, in a statement Sunday, December 14, 2025, said though the opposition coalition party supported efforts at modernising Nigeria’s tax system, it faulted the process through which the West African country and France reached the agreement.

The party, therefore, urged the immediate public disclosure of the full terms of the deal or its termination.

The ADC noted that expert reviews of the deal between Nigeria and France suggested it could expose sensitive national economic and tax data to foreign access, with potential implications for the country’s data security and economic sovereignty.

Abdullahi also said FIRS’ attempts to downplay these concerns had not addressed public apprehension, particularly given what it described as the hurried and secretive manner in which the agreement was concluded.

The party equally interrogated the MoU, stating that such a far-reaching tax arrangement was entered into without public disclosure of its terms, meaningful engagement with the National Assembly (NASS), or broader consultation with stakeholders.

It further queried what France stands to gain from the bilateral agreement, as it contended that tax agreements are commercial in nature, and should be mutually transparent.

The party, therefore warned that any deal that potentially infringes on national security and sovereignty must be subjected to open scrutiny.

Placing the agreement in a broader political context, the party noted that France’s influence across West Africa is increasingly being challenged, with several former French colonies reassessing long-standing ties.

Nigeria’s local content policy is meant to build national institutions and reduce dependence on foreign service providers, it stated.

The opposition coalition party as well questioned why local expertise was not prioritised in a sector where Nigerian professionals are globally competitive.

It advocated the full publication of the agreement, a formal briefing of the National Assembly and an independent assessment of its implications for data protection, cybersecurity and national sovereignty, insisting that Nigerians deserve full transparency on the deal.

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