The Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr. Zacch Adedeji, announced the launch of an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code, *829#, aimed at improving taxpayer satisfaction and facilitating ease of doing business in Nigeria.
This initiative was unveiled on Wednesday during a ceremony at the Revenue House in Abuja, coinciding with Customer Service Week, themed “Above and Beyond.”
According to a statement by Dare Adekanmbi, the Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, Nigeria has now become the sixth African nation to adopt a USSD platform for tax payment simplification, positioning the country as a leader in digital tax administration on the continent.
During the ceremony, Adedeji emphasized the significance of the USSD code, stating that it reflects the agency’s commitment to simplifying tax administration and ensuring that “every taxpayer—whether in bustling cities or remote areas—can engage with FIRS seamlessly.” He encouraged taxpayers to take advantage of the benefits offered by the USSD code for all their inquiries.
The newly launched code allows taxpayers on any mobile telecommunications network to access FIRS services in real time.
Users can retrieve their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verify their Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), obtain information on tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and ask general tax-related questions—all without the need for internet access.
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“This technological leap reflects our dedication to creating a tax system that is efficient, transparent, and responsive to the needs of taxpayers,” Adedeji added.
In conjunction with the USSD code, FIRS also launched a Customer Centricity Guide, which contains policies and procedures designed to reinforce the agency’s commitment to treating taxpayers as partners in nation-building.
Adedeji described the guide as embodying the agency’s commitment to putting taxpayers at the center of service delivery, outlining principles and values that define their interactions with taxpayers.
He stated, “The guide serves as a reminder to us all that the taxpayer is not just a client, but a valued partner in nation-building.
Through the combination of the USSD code and the Customer Centricity Guide, we are reinforcing a culture of service excellence and making tax compliance not just a duty but an experience that fosters trust and voluntary participation.”
The National Coordinator of Servicom, Nnenna Akajemeli, praised FIRS for its initiatives aimed at enhancing taxpayer satisfaction, describing them as “evident steps towards taxpayer satisfaction.”
She commended the agency for launching the USSD code and the Customer Centricity Guide, noting that these initiatives simplify tax processes and improve service quality.
FIRS Director of the Taxpayers’ Service Department, Loveth Onanuga, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the agency’s goal to go beyond merely meeting taxpayers’ expectations.
“Customer-centricity means more than just satisfying customers’ basic wants, but also going ‘above and beyond what customers anticipate and astonishing them with great service,’” she said.
As FIRS celebrates these advancements, Adedeji encouraged all citizens to fully utilize the USSD service and embrace the Customer Centricity Guide, emphasizing that their feedback will be crucial for continuous improvement in service delivery.
