Nigeria: Distribution of generated Value Added Tax (VAT) by sector for Q1 2020 and Q1 2021

Of the total VAT generated in Q1 2021, Non-Import (foreign) VAT recorded a 116% increase — the highest compared with the same period of 2020. Here is a breakdown of the VAT generated by sectors in Q1 2020 and Q1 2021.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics, Federal Inland Revenue Services

Period:

Q1 2020 - Q1 2021
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Local companies have consistently contributed most of Nigeria’s Company Income Tax payments since 2016
  • Local companies dominated CIT contributions in most years, accounting for over 50% of payments in 9 of 11 periods between 2015 and 2025 (Q1–Q3).
  • Foreign companies briefly closed the gap in 2023, contributing 49%, the closest they have come to matching local firms.
  • Local companies recorded their strongest share in 2021 at 65%, marking the widest gap between local and foreign contributors.
  • “Other payments” peaked during the pandemic, rising to 17% in 2020 before dropping to 0% from 2022 onward.
Local companies have consistently contributed most of Nigeria’s Company Income Tax payments since 2016
  • Local companies dominated CIT contributions in most years, accounting for over 50% of payments in 9 of 11 periods between 2015 and 2025 (Q1–Q3).
  • Foreign companies briefly closed the gap in 2023, contributing 49%, the closest they have come to matching local firms.p
  • Local companies recorded their strongest share in 2021 at 65%, marking the widest gap between local and foreign contributors.
  • “Other payments” peaked during the pandemic, rising to 17% in 2020 before dropping to 0% from 2022 onward.
97% of businesses in Kogi are aware of Nigeria's 2025 tax reform, while 99% in Abia are not
  • Kogi entrepreneurs have the highest tax policy awareness in Nigeria (96.8%) in 2025.
  • Abia has the lowest awareness nationwide at just 1.4%.
  • Fewer than one-third of Nigerian states have awareness levels above 60%.
  • Major economic hubs like Lagos and Rivers have awareness below 50%.
  • Northern states dominate the top awareness rankings more than southern states.
  • Several states cluster around the 40–50% range, indicating partial reach.
  • States with low awareness risk lower compliance and higher friction during enforcement.
  • The gap between the highest and lowest states exceeds 95 percentage points, showing extreme disparity.
Nigeria's non-oil tax revenue solidified its dominance over oil in FIRS collections, reaching a record of ₦15.9t in 2024, more than 2.7x the ₦5.8t from oil
  • FIRS recorded ₦15.9 trillion of non-oil tax, almost three times the ₦5.8 trillion recorded for oil tax.
  • Non-oil tax revenue made up 73.3% of the total revenue collected in 2023.
  • From 2012 down to 2024, non-oil tax revenue surpassed oil tax revenue most of the time.
  • Oil taxes are petroleum profit tax and company income (oil & gas) tax while non-profit tax includes company income (non-oil) tax, gas tax, capital gains, stamp duty, NCS import VAT, and non-import VAT.
Nigeria's FIRS surpassed 2024 target as revenue soared 76% to a record ₦21.7 trillion
  • The FIRS collected ₦21.7 trillion, outpacing the target of ₦19.4 trillion set by the government.
  • FIRS grossed its highest revenue of all time since 2012 in 2024.
  • Comparing the values of 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 reveals a significant shift.
  • The tax revenue collected in 2024 surpassed the amount collected in 2023 by an outstanding 75.6%.
Non-oil company income tax and two other sources accounted for over 70% of Nigeria's tax revenue in 2024
  • Company Income Tax (Non-Oil) emerged as the largest contributor, accounting for over 30% of total tax revenue.
  • NCS-Import VAT followed closely, contributing 23.63%, emphasising the significance of import-related taxes to Nigeria's revenue.
  • Traditional oil-based taxes such as Petroleum Profit Tax/Hydrocarbon Tax and CIT (Oil & Gas) jointly contributed over 26%, showing that oil remains a vital but declining pillar.
  • Newer tax streams like the Electronic Money Transfer Levy and NASENI (National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure) funding have emerged, but still make up less than 2% of total revenue.
  • Minor tax categories like Capital Gains Tax, NITDEF (National Information Technology Development Fund), and NPTFL (Nigeria Police Trust Fund) had negligible impact, each contributing less than 0.5%
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