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%.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recorded a landmark achievement in 2024 by collecting a total of ₦21.7 trillion, surpassing its government-set target of ₦19.4 trillion. This impressive performance marked the highest revenue ever recorded by FIRS since 2012. In fact, the 2024 tax revenue exceeded the amount collected in 2023 by a remarkable 75.6%, reflecting strong improvements in tax administration and compliance. When comparing the revenue figures from 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, a clear upward trajectory becomes evident. There was a significant shift in the values year-on-year from 2021, highlighting growth and efficiency in the system. This trend also signals increasing confidence in the nation's revenue generation framework.

The leap from previous years to 2024 is particularly notable given economic challenges faced globally. Enhanced digital systems and better enforcement strategies may have contributed to this growth. Onward, this development could shape future revenue policies and projections in Nigeria.

Source:

Federal Inland Revenue Service

Period:

2024
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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%
Total FAAC revenue shared in Nigeria consistently grew year-on-year from February to June 2025, with increases ranging from 39% to 49%
  • Nigeria’s FAAC revenue increased 49% YoY in March 2025 (₦1.68T vs ₦1.12T in March 2024).
  • February 2025 saw a 48% increase YoY (₦1.70T vs ₦1.15T in February 2024).
  • April 2025 revenue rose by 41% YoY, moving from ₦1.12T in April 2024 to ₦1.58T.
  • January 2025 showed no YoY change, recording ₦1.42T in both 2024 and 2025.
  • The consistent growth in H1 2025 FAAC revenues signals improved government revenue mobilisation, better oil/non-oil collections, and higher capacity for states to meet obligations.
Nigeria experienced substantial year-on-year declines in exchange rate gain revenue from April to June 2025, with decreases of 90%, 81%, and 85% respectively
  • Nigeria’s exchange rate gain revenue dropped by 73.2% in H1 2025 compared to H1 2024.
  • In April 2025, exchange rate gain fell by 90% year-on-year from ₦285.5B to ₦28.7B.
  • May saw an 81% drop, with revenue declining from ₦438.9B in 2024 to ₦81.4B in 2025.
  • January 2025 was the only month with a stable figure, matching January 2024’s ₦402.7B.
  • Exchange rate gain revenue for February and March 2025 was unavailable, likely worsening the total.
  • The first half of 2025 generated only ₦589.4B in FX gains, compared to ₦2.2T in the same period in 2024.
South Africa's personal income tax has increased in share from ~30% to nearly 40% over the years
Key Takeaways:
  • In 2007/08, personal income tax (PIT) contributed 29.46% of total tax revenue, while corporate income tax (CIT) added a substantial 24.46%.
  • The share of personal income tax in tax revenue rose by 27% from 2007/08 to 2023/24.
  • Corporate income tax contribution declined by 26% from 2007/08 to 2023/24.
  • In 2019/20, personal income tax made the largest contribution to tax revenue (38.9%), a 32% rise from the 2007/08 contribution.
  • Other taxes showed minor variations, averaging around 19% of total tax revenue.
  • Personal income tax reached its peak contribution at 38.92% in 2019/20 before dropping by 4% in 2023/24.
Over the last twenty years, the ratio of tax to GDP in South Africa has varied, reaching a high of 24.9%—a 19% increase since 2004/05
Key takeaways:
  • The tax-to-GDP ratio reached its peak in 2022/23 at 24.9%, signifying enhanced efficiency in tax collection.
  • Throughout the past two decades, the percentage of tax revenue relative to GDP has exhibited significant stability.
  • The tax revenue as a proportion of GDP has fluctuated between 21% and 25% over the last twenty years.
  • Notable declines occurred during global economic downturns, such as the financial crisis of 2008-2009 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The recent years (2021-2024) reflect a robust recovery, with tax revenue percentages approaching peak levels.
Nigeria's VAT revenue shows over ₦1.1T increase in 2023 while the value in dollars shows a decline
  • VAT revenue in naira has consistently grown over the years, hitting an all-time high of ₦3.64 trillion in 2023.
  • The dollar value of VAT revenue declined despite the increase in naira terms, dropping from $5.88 billion in 2022 to $5.44 billion in 2023.
  • Over the last decade, VAT revenue in naira has grown at an impressive CAGR of 20.18%, while its dollar value grew at a much lower 5.48%, showing the impact of currency devaluation.
  • 2023 saw one of the largest year-on-year increases in VAT revenue in naira, but the corresponding drop in dollar value indicates that exchange rate volatility are eroding real revenue gains.
  • Nigeria’s revenue collection efforts are improving, but the decline in dollar value highlights the need for economic stability and currency strength.
  • This trend reflects a broader issue in Nigeria’s economy - higher local earnings do not necessarily translate into increased global purchasing power.
  • With VAT being a major non-oil revenue source, policymakers must focus on stabilizing the exchange rate to maximize the real impact of revenue growth.
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