The Federal Inland Revenue Service has refuted recent claims regarding the appointment of Xpress Payments as a solitary part of the national revenue collection system.

The agency described these claims as inaccurate and capable of politicising a strictly administrative process.

In a statement signed by Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Technical Assistant on Broadcast Media to the Executive Chairman of FIRS, and issued in response to comments made by former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the agency strongly asserted that it does not operate any exclusive or single-gateway arrangement for tax collection. It further clarified that no private company has been granted monopoly rights over government revenues.

The FIRS explained that it currently operates a multi-channel, multi–Payment Solution Service Provider framework. This framework includes several long-established platforms such as Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact, Flutterwave, and XpressPay. The agency stated that this expanded and competitive ecosystem is specifically designed to make tax payments more convenient and efficient for Nigerians.

The service further emphasized that PSSPs are not collection agents and do not earn processing fees or a percentage of government revenues. All funds paid through these designated channels, the FIRS noted, flow directly into the Federation Account without diversion or private custody.

According to the FIRS, the multi-channel model promotes efficiency, significantly improves monitoring and reporting capabilities, and actively supports innovation, competition, and job creation within the country’s financial technology sector. The agency added that the onboarding of all PSSPs adheres to a transparent and verifiable process to ensure fairness and equity.

The agency also highlighted the ongoing national tax reforms being driven by the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms. It described these reforms as essential to Nigeria’s economic modernisation and noted they are firmly grounded in the principles of transparency and efficiency. The FIRS insisted these critical reforms should not be drawn into partisan disputes.

The FIRS urged political actors to refrain from misrepresenting routine administrative procedures. It stressed that Nigeria’s tax administration system is too critical to be subjected to misinformation or unnecessary controversy.