The agency said the accusation is baseless and risks stirring political tension over an issue it considers routine and technical.

Aderonke Atoyebi, technical assistant on Broadcast Media to the FIRS Chairman, issued the agency’s response, saying the former Vice President’s comments distort how government tax channels actually work. 

She insisted there is no exclusive gateway and no company has been placed above others in the revenue-collection chain.

“The comments by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are incorrect, misleading, and capable of unnecessarily politicising a purely administrative and technical process,” she said.

The tax authority explained that Nigeria currently operates a broad network of Payment Solution Service Providers. Quickteller, Remita, Etranzact, Flutterwave and XpressPay all run simultaneously, and the system, according to the FIRS, is designed to prevent any single operator from dominating.

The agency repeated the same point in stronger terms: “For clarity, the FIRS does not operate any exclusive or single-gateway revenue-collection arrangement, and no private entity has been granted a monopoly over government revenues.”

Why XpressPayments Entered the Picture

Xpress Payment Solutions Limited was recently listed as a collecting agent under the Treasury Single Account framework, allowing taxpayers to choose its platform, just as they would choose any other, when remitting statutory taxes. 

The FIRS stressed that this does not elevate the company above others, nor does it give it access to government funds.

Atiku Abubakar had argued that this resembles what he called a “Lagos-style revenue cartel”, warning that placing revenue channels in the hands of any politically aligned private operator could undermine public trust. 

He said the decision was made quietly and described the arrangement as state capture masked as innovation.

FIRS Counters Monopoly Claims

The agency dismissed those issues, insisting that PSSPs neither collect revenue nor keep a share of funds. All payments, it said, land directly in the Federation Account without being touched or held by any intermediary.

It reinforced this point again: “All payments made through the platforms go directly into the Federation Account without diversion, intermediaries, or private control.”

The FIRS also noted that recent reforms deliberately opened the space for more providers, not fewer. The intention, it said, is to expand access, increase oversight, and push financial-technology firms to innovate through competition rather than state preference.

Transparency and Reform at the Centre

Responding to Atiku’s claim of the wider process, Atoyebi said the onboarding of service providers is conducted through a transparent and verifiable procedure. She added that national tax reforms must not be reduced to political talking points.

“The reform has come to stay and should not be subjected to mischaracterisation for political gain.”

The agency then urged politicians to avoid framing operational decisions as partisan manoeuvres: “We therefore urge Mr Atiku Abubakar and other political actors to refrain from mischaracterising routine administrative processes for political gain. Nigeria’s tax system is too important to be subjected to misinformation or unnecessary alarm.”

A Continuing Disagreement

Atiku, who has repeatedly criticised the administration’s revenue and economic policies, maintains that placing XpressPayments in a sensitive role weakens institutional safeguards. The FIRS insists the system remains professional, transparent, and insulated from private influence.

The swearing-in ceremony took place Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, before the start of the Federal Executive Council meeting. 

Dr Bernard Doro, a UK-trained clinical practitioner with vast experience, is a seasoned  pharmaceutical and public health administrator. 

He was earlier nominated to replace the current APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who formerly served as minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction before emerging as the party’s chairman on July 31, 2025. 

The appointments comply with the Federal Character Commission Act, as Enugu and Plateau States previously had no representation at the Federal Executive Council. Their swearing-in brings the Tinubu administration’s cabinet size to 48.  

Some analysts have raised reservations about the number of ministers in the Tinubu administration. However, the appointments of Doro and Udeh are considered necessary, as both states were previously underrepresented.

Among those who have objected to government spending is the former Central Bank Governor and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

Speaking at the Oxford Global Think Tank Leadership Conference and Book Launch, the monarch said, “If you stop paying subsidies but continue borrowing more, it means you’ve filled one hole only to dig another. The real challenge now is the quality of government spending and the management of the revenues saved,” he said. 

Dr Doro hails from Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. According to the Presidency, he holds multiple degrees in Pharmacy, Law, and Advanced Clinical Practice. 

Dr Kingsley Udeh, who served as attorney-general and the commissioner for Justice in Enugu State until his appointment, replaces Uche Nnaji, the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology.

Nnaji resigned on October 7, 2025, following public controversy over his academic records at the University of Nigeria, Nsuka (UNN). 

After the swearing-in, the Federal Executive Meeting went into a closed session, its first since July 2025. The reason the meetings have not been held weekly, as in the previous administration, has not been made public by the Federal Government. 

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, briefed the council on Nigeria’s return to the international capital market, noting that the $2.35 billion Eurobond was oversubscribed by an all-time 453%, attracting $13 billion in orders, as reported by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

“The next phase of reforms will remove barriers holding back investors. We will review tariffs and import restrictions to stimulate productivity and investment,” the Minister said.

The election, conducted fully online, recorded one of the highest turnouts in the institute’s recent history.

Out of 348 registered members, 314 were accredited to vote, and 301 valid ballots were counted. Oyeyemi secured 177 votes, defeating Anthony Onoharigho Akpoje, who polled 124. The results were confirmed by Rakiya Nuhu, Chairperson of the 2025 National Council Election Committee.

“Accordingly, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, FCILT is hereby declared the duly elected National President of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria for the 2025–2027 term,” she announced.

Other council positions, including those of Vice Presidents, Mode Representatives, and the Diversity & Inclusion Officer, were returned unopposed.

Juliana Saka was returned as Deputy National President with 284 votes, while the vice presidencies went to Sani Mathew (North, 233 votes), Dr Monday Ezechukwu (East, 234 votes), and Elisha Ebah (West, 238 votes). 

Mode representatives included Dr Ajao Oluseyi for Logistics and Supply Chain, Salim Bello for Maritime, Dr William Odemwingie for Pipeline, Abdulganiyu Tijani for Road, Dauda Olabayo for Railway, and Rosemary Audu for Aviation, who polled one of the highest votes with 273. 

In addition, Queen Ajayi was chosen as Diversity and Inclusion Leader, securing 279 votes. The newly elected officers will be sworn in at the Institute’s Annual General Meeting on October 23, 2025 at the Civic Centre, Lagos.

Transformation Agenda: CILT Nigeria Finetuned

Oyeyemi’s presidency will be driven by a reform blueprint tagged “CILT Nigeria Finetuned”. The programme sets commendable targets:

• Growing membership by 60% and doubling corporate participation in four years.
• Establishing a Road Transport Sector Council to improve collaboration with regulators such as FRSC and transport unions.
• Introducing bridging courses and professional conversion tracks for fleet managers, safety officers, and logistics SMEs.
• Deploying “Transport Champions” in every Nigerian state to mentor and recruit new members.

The agenda shows a vision to place Nigeria at the top when it comes to logistics, professional training, and transport standards. It also aligns with CILT International’s broader objectives and the West African Road Safety Organisation (WARSO), where Oyeyemi has long played a central role.

Track Record in Public Service

Before this election, Oyeyemi had built a reputation as a reformer. During his tenure at the FRSC, the agency became the first law enforcement institution in Africa to earn ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification. The World Bank later named the FRSC “the best example of a road safety lead agency in Africa.”

His leadership also saw Nigeria consolidate its influence within WARSO, strengthening regional cooperation on traffic safety and logistics development.

Oyeyemi, who holds a doctorate in public administration, has been recognised with multiple awards, including the Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2006, the National Productivity Order of Merit (2015), and the LEADERSHIP Newspaper’s Public Officer of the Year Award in the same year.

Continuity and Expansion

Dr Oyeyemi succeeds Mfon Usoro, who broadened CILT Nigeria’s reach through advocacy, professional development, and gender inclusion initiatives. His presidency is expected to deepen partnerships with government, academia, unions, and international development agencies, while also enhancing digital platforms for training and certification.

For CILT Nigeria members, the expectation is that Oyeyemi must turn his track record in reform and standard-setting into measurable results that can reposition the sector locally and globally.