France Partners With Nigeria to Reform Tax Collection by 2026 — But Why Can’t We Fix Our Own Systems?

France Partners With Nigeria to Reform Tax Collection by 2026 — But Why Can’t We Fix Our Own Systems?

Nigeria is gearing up for another major government collaboration — this time with France — to overhaul the country’s tax collection framework starting January 1, 2026. According to official announcements, the partnership aims to modernize how taxes are tracked, collected, and enforced across federal and state levels.

On paper, this sounds like progress. Improved tax systems could boost revenue, reduce leakages, and help the government fund essential services more efficiently. But beneath the surface lies a more uncomfortable question: Why does Nigeria continue to outsource solutions for problems it should be fully capable of solving internally?

For decades, tax reforms have been proposed, studied, and piloted, only to fall short due to weak institutions, outdated infrastructure, and political resistance. Now, instead of building local capacity and empowering domestic agencies, Nigeria is relying yet again on a foreign partner to handle what should be a core national responsibility.

While international cooperation can bring in expertise, the concern is clear: Are we improving our systems, or simply renting competence?

As the 2026 implementation date approaches, Nigerians will be watching closely. Will this partnership finally create a transparent, efficient tax ecosystem — or will it become another reminder that the country still struggles to manage basic administrative functions on its own?