By Esther Agbo
In a move aimed at enhancing transparency within Nigeria’s revenue agency, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has partnered with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to establish an Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).
This new unit, launched at the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, is designed to bolster the agency’s fight against corruption and promote ethical practices.
The ACTU, comprising 12 members, is tasked with a comprehensive mandate that includes monitoring internal processes, raising awareness on corruption, and ensuring strict adherence to ethical codes.
The FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Tayo Koleosho, underscored the importance of this initiative, stressing that it represents a critical step in the agency’s ongoing efforts to uphold integrity and transparency saying, “The easy part of being a member of the FIRS anti-corruption unit has just been done. The real work starts now.”
Koleosho conveyed Adedeji’s message to the newly inaugurated unit, stating that while the formation of the ACTU was a significant milestone, the real challenge lies in executing its mandate effectively.
He said that the success of the unit would be measured by its ability to set an example of integrity that both FIRS staff and the public can witness.
The inauguration also saw a strong show of support from within the FIRS. The Coordinating Director of the Support Services Group, Mohammed Lawal Abubakar, pledged continuous support for the ACTU, highlighting its role in setting a high standard for ethical conduct within the agency.
On the part of the ICPC, the commission’s Chairman, Dr. Musa Adamu Aliyu, represented by Director of System Study and Review, Mr. Olusegun Adigun, clarified that the ACTU is not intended to function as a separate authority but as a collaborative partner to FIRS management.
The unit will play a key role in identifying vulnerabilities to corruption, monitoring budget implementation, and initiating investigations where necessary.
He said, “The ACTU is not set up as a parallel authority to management but rather to collaborate in building a reputable agency.”
However, the Director of the anti-corruption unit at FIRS, Hajia Sa’adatu Yero, praised the leadership of the agency for their commitment to anti-corruption efforts. She pointed to the unit’s recent performance, where it scored 79.95 per cent on the 2022 Ethics and Integrity Scorecard survey, as evidence of the agency’s dedication to transparency.
Yero also highlighted the unit’s ongoing collaboration with other anti-corruption bodies, including the ICPC, Nigerian Police, and EFCC.