On Wednesday, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) made a huge advancement in Nigeria’s tax administration system by introducing a new Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code, *829#.
The main purpose of this new service is to enhance the overall experience for taxpayers, making the process of tax payment and other related services more accessible and efficient.
This new initiative was unveiled by FIRS Chairman, Zacch Adedeji, during an event held at the Revenue House in Abuja, in line with the ongoing Customer Service Week celebrations.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Above and Beyond,” which aligns with the FIRS’ aim to prioritize taxpayer satisfaction.
Nigeria, by launching this USSD code, becomes the sixth country in Africa to embrace this technological solution in tax administration.
This innovation places the country alongside other forward-thinking African nations that are taking notable steps to simplify and improve tax payment procedures for their citizens.
Dare Adekanmbi, who serves as the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS Chairman, outlined the broad range of services that the new USSD code will offer.
Taxpayers across all mobile networks in Nigeria can now easily access various real-time services, such as retrieving their Taxpayer Identification Numbers (TIN), verifying their Tax Clearance Certificates (TCC), obtaining detailed information on different tax types and rates, locating the nearest FIRS office, and addressing a variety of other tax-related queries.
The simplicity of this service, which requires only a basic mobile phone and no internet connection, is expected to greatly improve the tax-paying experience for Nigerians, whether they reside in urban areas or more remote locations.
During the launch event, Adedeji emphasized the importance of this development, stating that the new service is a reflection of FIRS’ commitment to making tax administration more accessible to every Nigerian.
He noted, “Every taxpayer—whether in bustling cities or remote areas—can connect with FIRS seamlessly.” This, he explained, is part of the agency’s broader mission to modernize and simplify tax administration in the country.
He further encouraged taxpayers to leverage the new USSD code for their inquiries, highlighting that this system will make their interactions with FIRS much smoother and more convenient.
In addition to the USSD code, FIRS also launched a “Customer Centricity Guide.” This guide serves as a comprehensive booklet that outlines the agency’s policies, processes, and procedures.
Its aim is to ensure that FIRS places taxpayers at the center of its service delivery, treating them as ‘kings,’ as the agency continues to improve the way it interacts with its clients.
Adedeji spoke passionately about the new initiative, emphasizing the benefits of the new code for taxpayers: “With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers now have the power to: retrieve their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verify their Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), access information on tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and get answers to general tax-related inquiries.”
He also stressed the convenience offered by the service, particularly the fact that all of these essential services can now be accessed without the need for internet connectivity. In his words, “Without the need for internet access, all of these services are now available with a simple mobile phone.
This technological leap reflects our dedication to creating a tax system that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of taxpayers.”
He further emphasized the importance of the Customer Centricity Guide, describing it as an essential part of FIRS’ commitment to delivering high-quality service. He stated, “Equally important is the unveiling of the Customer Centricity Guide.
This guide embodies our commitment to putting taxpayers at the center of our service delivery. It outlines the principles and values that will drive our interactions with taxpayers by ensuring that every engagement is defined by respect, professionalism, and efficiency.”
Nnenna Akajemeli, the national coordinator of Servicom, praised the FIRS for its commitment to ensuring taxpayer satisfaction.
She acknowledged that the efforts made by the agency, including the launch of the *829# USSD code and the Customer Centricity Guide, are clear indicators of FIRS’ dedication to improving service quality and simplifying the tax process.
Akajemeli emphasized that the results of FIRS’ continuous commitment to its customers are evident and commended the agency for going beyond the basic requirements to deliver an exceptional service experience.
Loveth Onanuga, the Director of the Taxpayers’ Service Department at FIRS, echoed this sentiment. She stated that the agency’s understanding of customer-centricity extends beyond simply meeting the needs of taxpayers.
FIRS aims to exceed expectations and deliver a level of service that is exceptional, reflecting the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week, “Above and Beyond.” By exceeding customer expectations, FIRS aims to set new standards for tax administration in Nigeria.
Through these initiatives, FIRS has demonstrated its unwavering commitment to improving the tax system in Nigeria, making it more transparent, efficient, and accessible to every taxpayer, regardless of their location or resources.
With the introduction of the *829# USSD code and the Customer Centricity Guide, the agency is taking bold steps to ensure that taxpayers have a more seamless and user-friendly experience when interacting with the tax authority.
