The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly opposed the recent agreement on digital tax reform and revenue administration signed between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and the Government of France, demanding the full publication of the deal or its immediate termination. The party, through its spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi, cited overwhelming concerns that the agreement “potentially endangers Nigeria’s data security and exposes strategic national economic information to foreign exploitation.”
The ADC statement criticized the manner in which the deal was “hurriedly and secretly packaged,” arguing that attempts by the FIRS to explain away the concerns have failed to convince anyone that the agreement was done in the nation’s best interest. The party questioned why the Federal Government entered into such a serious agreement, which potentially infringes on national security and sovereignty, “without public disclosure of its full terms” and “without open engagement with the National Assembly.”
More fundamentally, the ADC framed the issue within a broader political context, noting that while former French colonies across West Africa are loosening their neo-colonial ties with France, the Tinubu administration “appears to have become more Francophone than the French.” The party also questioned the move’s disregard for Nigeria’s local content policy, asking why President Tinubu preferred to promote his “French connection” rather than utilizing the plethora of competent and globally acclaimed local service providers in the sector.
The ADC concluded by calling for a proper briefing of the National Assembly and an independent assessment of the agreement’s implications for data security, cybersecurity, and national sovereignty. The party insisted that the details of the closed-door arrangement must be published for all to see, or the agreement must be terminated.
