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

Key takeaways:

  • 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.

From 2012 down to 2024, non-oil tax revenue consistently outperformed oil tax revenue in most years. In 2024, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) recorded ₦15.9 trillion in non-oil tax revenue, nearly three times the ₦5.8 trillion collected from oil taxes. Non-oil tax revenue accounted for a dominant 73.3% of the total revenue generated for the year. This trend reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s tax landscape, where non-oil sources are becoming increasingly significant. Oil tax revenue mainly comprises Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT) and Company Income Tax (Oil & Gas).

On the other hand, non-oil taxes include a wider range of sources such as Company Income Tax (Non-Oil), Gas Tax, Capital Gains Tax, and Stamp Duties. It also includes Nigeria Customs Service Import VAT and Non-Import VAT, both of which contribute significantly.

This diversification has helped improve revenue stability, especially during periods of oil price volatility. The sustained rise in non-oil revenue signals progress in tax reforms and improved economic resilience.

Source:

Federal Inland Revenue Service

Period:

2024
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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.

Lagos State generated the vast majority of Nigeria's IGR at ₦1.3 trillion, accounting for over 35% of the ₦3.7 trillion total IGR
  • Nigeria’s total IGR in 2024 was ₦3.7 trillion.
  • Lagos State generated ₦1.3 trillion, accounting for over 35% of the national IGR.
  • Rivers State (₦317.3 billion) and the FCT, Abuja (₦282.4 billion) ranked second and third, respectively.
  • The South West led regionally with ₦1.7 trillion in total IGR.
  • The North East recorded the lowest regional IGR at ₦129.8 billion.
  • Economic disparity between regions remains wide, with Lagos alone outpacing entire regions.

Nigeria’s South East region is the only one where MDAs' revenue (60.9%) exceeded Total Tax Revenue (39.10%) in 2024
  • The South East is the only region where the revenue of MDAs (60.9%) exceeded tax revenue (39.1%).
  • Other regions relied more heavily on tax revenue, with the South South leading at 85.25%.
  • The North East and North Central followed closely, with tax contributions of 79.9% and 79.15%, respectively.
  • The South West generated 75.04% of its IGR from taxes, indicating a strong formal revenue structure.
  • The North West maintained a more balanced mix, with 58.54% tax and 41.46% MDAs’ revenue.

Lagos and Rivers have dominated Nigeria’s revenue rankings since 2008
  • A total of ₦20.45 trillion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has been recorded nationwide since 2008.
  • Lagos State generated ₦1.26 trillion in 2024, maintaining its position as the top revenue-generating state.
  • For five consecutive years, Yobe and Taraba have consistently ranked among the bottom five states in revenue generation.
  • FCT IGR records began in 2018.
  • Enugu State recorded a remarkable 433.03% year-on-year increase in 2024.
  • Ebonyi (–57.27%), Ondo (–24.70%), and Yobe (–0.99%) were the only states that experienced a decline in IGR in 2024.

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