The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has announced weekend operations for all tax offices until June 29, enabling businesses to file their Companies Income Tax (CIT) returns with greater ease during the hectic end-of-month phase. Special Adviser on Media Dare Adekanmbi confirmed that this directive, backed by Chairman Zacch Adedeji, underscores a strong shift towards more customer-oriented service by aligning office hours with taxpayer convenience.

 Weekend Office Schedule: What You Need to Know

• Saturdays (June 14–29): 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Sundays (June 15–29): 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

These weekend hours offer additional time for companies whose financial years end on December 31 to complete 2024 CIT filings, a requirement under the tax code (returns must be submitted by June 30). The move reflects Adedeji’s drive to align strategy with taxpayer support systems.

Leadership in Action: Delivering Practical Support

Coordination across the agency has been swift. Directors Amina Ado (Large Taxpayers Group), Dick Irri (Government & Medium Taxpayers Group), and Kabir Abba (Emerging Taxpayers Group) have disseminated the weekend plan to employees at every level. In a shared statement, they emphasized that extending operations into weekends would directly:

1. Enhance adherence to deadlines

2. Improve service delivery

3. Boost revenue inflows during a critical month

They noted that the June window represents the peak of annual CIT submissions from entities whose financial year aligns with the calendar year.

Service-First Approach: A Broader Evolution

Behind weekend availability lies a broader strategy shift. Since assuming leadership, Adedeji has prioritized turning FIRS into a service-first institution. Core components of this transformation include:

• Standardizing procedures: Establishing national Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all offices, reducing regional inconsistencies in taxpayer handling.

• Bolstering TaxPro‑Max: Rolling out enhancements—including integration with e-invoicing and automated reconciliation—that streamline digital interactions.

• Expanding USSD payments: Launching *829# so taxpayers without internet access can complete payments via mobile.

• Engaging local voices: Launching radio campaigns using Pidgin and regional languages to explain tax concepts and gather community input .

These reforms stem from internal initiatives such as the “Building a High‑Performance Tax Agency” retreat, which spotlighted pillars like people, process, and technology as drivers of transformation.

Radio Sensitisation: Spoken at the Grassroots

In late May, the agency rolled out a radio outreach campaign targeting Nigeria’s informal sector—from market traders to artisans . During one broadcast, Director of Communications Dr. Abdullahi Ismaila emphasized making concepts like TaxPro‑Max and How to get a Tax Clearance Certificate understandable to “the average market woman,” using simplified terms and local languages. Notably, this campaign collects listener feedback to fine-tune messages and stimulate voluntary tax compliance.

Extending This Strategy: Previous CIT Relief

FIRS has history with deadline extensions to ease compliance pressure. In June 2023, the agency extended the CIT deadline by two months—from June 30 to August 31—when companies struggled to meet submissions on time. This mirrored an earlier relief move in 2022, when a similar extension helped struggling taxpayers meet obligations.

By offering weekend office hours in June 2025, the agency again demonstrates a commitment to constructive support instead of reactive penalty enforcement.

Financials in Focus: Record Collections & Bold Targets

• 2024 revenue: ₦21.6 trillion, surpassing its ₦19.4 trillion target by 11%, with 97% growth in non-oil tax streams.

• 2025 revenue goal: ₦25.2 trillion—set by parliamentary directive, about 16% above last year’s haul.

• 2025 federal budget: ₦54.99 trillion—meaning FIRS’s target represents nearly 46% of overall spending.

Achieving this target means delivering consistent service improvements, revenue growth, and public confidence.

Why Weekend Operations Matter

The extension of office hours is far more than a procedural tweak—it addresses deeper systemic needs:

1. Time relief: Overcomes weekday workload clashes for businesses and taxpayers.

2. Technical backup: Provides immediate support for portal issues or payment glitches.

3. Compliance incentive: Promotes timely filing, avoiding costly penalties.

4. Customer focus: Reinforces service-first orientation in taxpayer relationship management.

Given penalties—such as ₦25,000 for each month of delayed filing and 10% interest on unpaid sums—timely submissions are vital. Weekend access equips taxpayers to meet deadlines without penalty risk.

Filing Essentials: What Businesses Should Do

• File by June 29 in person if online systems fail.

• Use TaxPro‑Max or USSD (829#) for electronic filing and payment.

• Bring corrected audited accounts and necessary documents during visits.

• Listen to radio sessions for clarity in local contexts.

• Avoid penalties by submitting and paying before June 30.

Completing these steps sustains compliance and bolsters corporate reputation.

Broader Implications: Governance, Growth, and Trust

Efficient tax administration carries deeper national significance:

• Funding public services: Reliable tax inflows sustain education, infrastructure, and healthcare.

• Signaling stability: Meeting revenue targets shows fiscal discipline, attracting investors.

• Fostering tax culture: Service-led reforms encourage voluntary compliance and reduce evasion.

• Strengthening institutions: Transformation builds public confidence in government agencies.

Chairman Adedeji’s reforms—including extended hours, outreach, tech, and SOPs—engage all segments of society while reinforcing accountability.

What Lies Ahead: Building on Momentum

As FIRS executes its weekend operations, it’s preparing for long-term gains. Upcoming plans include:

• Institutionalizing campaign feedback loops to refine messaging.

• Scaling up training to empower staff for better taxpayer interaction.

• Enhancing infrastructure—more physical space, tech systems, and office modernization.

• Deploying advanced analytics and automation to identify compliance gaps early.

These steps support a vision anchored in leadership synergy—where taxpayer satisfaction, fiscal discipline, and strategic outreach converge.

Final Word

By opening offices on weekends, building robust digital and radio engagement, and embedding consistent procedures across all branches, FIRS is evolving from gatekeeper to service champion. The current initiative directly supports timely CIT compliance while signaling enduring tax administration reforms. For businesses, this means fewer obstacles, clearer guidance, and a smoother experience. For Nigeria, it means stronger revenues and enhanced public trust.

As June progresses, taxpayers should seize these new weekend hours, activate digital options, and make informed use of radio resources. Taken together, these actions will not only ensure compliance but also foster a shared commitment to a future where tax serves as a bridge—between citizens, services, and progress.