On December 10, 2025, a handshake between the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and France’s tax authority (DGFiP) signaled a new era of cooperation.
But for the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), that FIRS-France handshake carries a heavy weight: the potential compromise of Nigeria’s digital sovereignty.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aims to modernize Nigeria’s tax administration through technical assistance and capacity building.
While the FIRS insists that no foreign entity will have access to taxpayer data or infrastructure, the professional ICT community is sounding an alarm about the “hidden costs” of international digital partnerships.
The Transparency Gap
A primary point of contention is the secrecy surrounding the deal. According to the NCS position paper, the MoU was concluded without proactive public disclosure of its full terms.
“This lack of transparency has heightened public suspicion,” the Society noted in a statement available to Techeconomy and signed by Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the President, highlighting that without a public debate, the government risks eroding trust in its handling of data-sensitive agreements.
NCS’ concern isn’t just about what is in the document, but what could happen tomorrow. Stakeholders worry that technical collaboration could serve as a ‘backdoor’ for metadata exposure or indirect access to sensitive systems.
Defining Digital Sovereignty
At the heart of this debate is a fundamental question: Who owns Nigeria’s digital future? The
NCS defines digital sovereignty as a nation’s absolute right to govern its own data and infrastructure while protecting citizens from unauthorized foreign access.
The Society argues that National Ownership is Non-Negotiable hence public data must remain under Nigerian juridical control;
“Local Talent Over Foreign Solutions – There is a growing fear that such MoUs marginalize local tech providers and weaken the incentive to develop homegrown digital solutions.
“Data Localization: Critical economic data should be stored and processed within Nigerian jurisdiction to prevent foreign jurisdictional claims.
A Call for a “Sovereignty-First” Policy
The NCS isn’t just criticizing; they are proposing a roadmap for a more secure digital economy.
Led by President Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the Society is calling for a National Data Sovereignty Policy.
Key recommendations from the ICT body include:
“Legislative Oversight: Before any data-related MoU is operationalized, it should undergo public hearings and a review by the National Assembly.
“Mandatory Risk Assessments: Every international collaboration should require a Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA) to document mitigation plans for privacy risks.
“Indigenous Investment: Instead of relying solely on foreign advisory, the government should fund indigenous software platforms and incentivize partnerships with Nigerian tech firms”.
The Path Ahead
Nigeria stands at a pivotal point in its digital transformation. While global cooperation can bolster institutional capacity, the NCS insists it must never come at the expense of national security or the rights of citizens.
As the Society continues to monitor the FIRS-France agreement, its message to the government is clear: international partnerships are valuable, but only if they are anchored in a secure, equitable, and domestically controlled framework.
