The African Democratic Congress has urged the Federal Government to make public the details of the digital tax reform and revenue administration agreement signed between the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the French government, warning that the pact could pose risks to Nigeria’s data security and national sovereignty.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, said a review of expert opinions by the ADC showed that the agreement carried significant implications that had not been adequately explained to Nigerians.
He faulted the FIRS for what he described as a lack of transparency, particularly for failing to clearly state what France stands to gain from the arrangement and for proceeding without broad public consultation.
According to the party, the agreement could expose sensitive national economic data to foreign interests, arguing that explanations so far offered by the tax authority have not addressed widespread concerns.
The ADC also questioned why such a far-reaching agreement was entered into without full disclosure of its terms, engagement with the National Assembly, or efforts to carry the public along, especially given its potential impact on national security and sovereignty.
Abdullahi further criticised the government’s growing engagement with France at a time when several West African countries are reassessing or cutting ties with the former colonial power, suggesting that Nigeria appeared to be moving in the opposite direction.
He said Nigeria should focus on strengthening local content and domestic capacity rather than creating new dependencies on external partners.
The party therefore called for the immediate publication of the agreement, proper briefing of the National Assembly, and an independent review of its implications for data security, cybersecurity, and national sovereignty, insisting that the deal should be terminated if full disclosure is not made.
The ADC’s position follows a similar call by the Northern Elders Forum, which demanded the immediate cancellation of the agreement, warning that it threatens Nigeria’s economic independence.
However, the FIRS has defended the memorandum of understanding, describing it as a standard international cooperation framework centred on advisory services, knowledge exchange, and capacity building. The agency maintained that the agreement does not grant France access to individual taxpayer data or Nigeria’s digital systems.
In a public notice, the FIRS stressed that the partnership complies with Nigeria’s data protection laws and does not undermine local financial technology firms such as NIBSS, Interswitch, PayStack, and Flutterwave.
