NRS, Taxation Institute Deepen Partnership on E-Invoicing

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to drive the phased implementation of e-invoicing and promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in Nigeria’s tax system. The renewed partnership was underscored at a stakeholders’ workshop focused on the NRS e-Invoicing Merchant-Buyer Solution (MBS), where both institutions emphasised […]

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has strengthened collaboration with the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) to drive the phased implementation of e-invoicing and promote transparency, efficiency and accountability in Nigeria’s tax system.

The renewed partnership was underscored at a stakeholders’ workshop focused on the NRS e-Invoicing Merchant-Buyer Solution (MBS), where both institutions emphasised the need to align tax administration with global digital standards.

Speaking at the event themed, “Unlocking Business Value”, 17th President of CITN, Innocent Ohagwa, said the institute remains committed to supporting ongoing tax reforms and ensuring that practitioners and businesses are adequately equipped to comply with emerging digital requirements.

Represented by a member of the institute’s Governing Council, he noted that bridging the gap between tax policy and implementation is critical as Nigeria modernises its revenue framework.

According to him, deepening the partnership with the NRS will enhance capacity building, promote voluntary compliance and foster better understanding of the systems required for seamless execution of new tax laws.

Ohagwa noted that the e-invoicing would bring about efficiency in collecting tax revenue.

He said, “The NRS e-Invoicing Merchant–Buyer Solution sits at the very heart of the current reform effort. It represents a decisive shift from reactive enforcement to proactive compliance and from manual reporting to real-time data integrity. For businesses, it offers efficiency, certainty and reduced compliance risk.

“For government, it provides credible data, improved revenue assurance and a stronger foundation for informed policy planning. And for the economy as a whole, it strengthens trust – the most valuable currency of any progressive and credible tax system.”

According to him, tax compliance should not be perceived as a cost imposed on enterprise, but as a system that supports growth, competitiveness and sustainability.

“The emphasis on hands-on demonstration reflects our shared understanding that reform must be practical, accessible and user-friendly. The focus on compliance and benefits reinforces a simple but enduring truth: when systems are clear, fair and efficient, compliance follows naturally,” he added.

On his part, Project Manager, NRS MBS e-invoicing Solution, Mr. Muhammed Bawa stated that the e-invoicing initiative is designed to ensure real-time digital reporting of transactions, improve VAT monitoring and reduce leakages in revenue collection.

He added that transitioning from manual invoicing to a structured digital process would strengthen compliance and support informed fiscal planning.

The Merchant-Buyer Solution (MBS), he further explained, enables businesses to transmit business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) invoices directly to the revenue authority through a secure platform, making transactions more transparent and traceable.

“Invoices generated from accounting or enterprise systems are transmitted to a national database, validated and issued with unique reference numbers. Anyone receiving an invoice from a Nigerian supplier should be able to verify it and be confident it is authentic,” he said.