President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday declared that Nigeria has entered a decisive phase of fiscal discipline, institutional strengthening and economic renewal, as he commissioned the new headquarters of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in Abuja.
The President said his administration’s reform agenda is yielding measurable progress, insisting that the country is steadily transitioning from “the dimness of uncertainty into the clear light of renewed hope.”
Describing the edifice as more than just a physical structure, the President said the new NRS headquarters represents a bold national statement, a commitment to transparency, professionalism, and efficiency in revenue administration.
“We are not gathered here merely to commission a building,” the President said.
“We are marking a milestone in a larger national journey — the deliberate strengthening of our fiscal foundation and the rebuilding of confidence in public institutions.”
The President reaffirmed that the promises made during his inauguration were not mere rhetoric but a binding covenant with Nigerians, anchored on confronting structural weaknesses and building an equitable economic system.
He noted that the administration’s sweeping tax and fiscal reforms are already producing encouraging outcomes, including improved fiscal stability, stronger foreign reserves and rising investor confidence.
According to him, these gains are the direct result of “deliberate policy, sustained effort, and a commitment to long-term national prosperity.”
“Our direction is clear — a revenue system that rewards enterprise, supports growth, and ensures that every contribution to the national purse is matched by tangible value for the people,” he said.
The President charged the NRS to rise to the demands of reform by embodying a new ethos of fairness, accountability, and service excellence.
He stressed that taxation must no longer be seen as opaque or burdensome, but as a transparent and just system that earns public trust.
“No serious nation can achieve lasting prosperity on a weak and fragmented revenue system,” Tinubu declared.
“No government can demand trust when taxation is inefficient or unjust.”
He urged the agency to evolve beyond revenue collection into a model institution that commands respect both domestically and internationally.
Highlighting the symbolic importance of the new headquarters, the President described it as a reflection of Nigeria’s resolve to match institutional performance with national aspirations.
“The building is more than concrete and steel,” he said.
“It is a symbol of a new standard — one that reflects professionalism, transparency, efficiency, and service,” he said.
He commended the leadership of the agency, particularly its Executive Chairman, for driving reforms and demonstrating that “Nigeria is working.
The President also paid tribute to Nigerians for their resilience and patience amid ongoing reforms, assuring that the sacrifices are not in vain.
He called for sustained commitment across all sectors, stressing that national renewal requires courage, consistency, and collective effort.
“History will not judge us by what we say, but by what we do — by the institutions we strengthen and the discipline we sustain,” he said.
The President declared that the country has made a conscious choice to pursue discipline, development, and inclusive prosperity.
“We have chosen reform. We have chosen progress. We have chosen development and inclusiveness.
“And we will stay this course, steadfast and focused, until the promise of Nigeria is matched by the performance of its institutions and the prosperity of its people,” he said.