FIRS Launches USSD Code *829# for Enhanced Taxpayer Satisfaction
Group, Anthony Okonkwo; Coordinating Director, Services Support Group, M.L Abubakar; Coordinating Director, Compliance and Enforcement Group, Matthew Gbonjubola; Coordinating Director, Medium Taxpayers’ Group, Dick Irri; Chief of Staff, Tayo Koleosho; chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zacch Adedeji; Coordinating Director, Corporate Services Group, Mrs Bolaji Akintola; Coordinating Director, Special Duties, Tamadi Shettima; Coordinating Director, Large Tax Group, Ms Aminat Ado during the unveiling of the agency’s USSD code *829# at the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, on Wednesday.
By Innocent Eneta
In a significant move aimed at improving taxpayer satisfaction and enhancing the ease of doing business, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) officially launched an Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) code, *829#, on Wednesday. The launch took place at the Revenue House in Abuja as part of this year’s Customer Service Week, themed “Above and Beyond.”
The introduction of the USSD code marks Nigeria as the sixth African country to implement such a system to streamline tax payment processes. A statement from Dare Adekanmbi, Special Adviser on Media to the FIRS chairman, highlighted that taxpayers across any mobile telecommunication network in the country can now access real-time assistance for various tax-related issues, including retrieving their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verifying their Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), obtaining information on tax types and rates, locating the nearest FIRS office, and addressing general tax inquiries.
Speaking at the ceremony, FIRS Chairman Zacch Adedeji expressed the agency’s commitment to simplifying tax administration. He emphasised that “every taxpayer—whether in bustling cities or remote areas—can engage with FIRS seamlessly.” Adedeji encouraged taxpayers to take full advantage of the new USSD code, stating, “With the *829# USSD code, taxpayers now have the power to: retrieve their Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), verify their Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), access information on tax types and rates, locate the nearest FIRS office, and get answers to general tax-related inquiries.”
He further noted that these services are available without the need for internet access, making them accessible via a simple mobile phone. “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 addition to the USSD launch, the agency unveiled a Customer Centricity Guide—a booklet detailing policies, processes, and procedures designed to keep taxpayers at the centre of FIRS operations. Adedeji explained, “The guide embodies our commitment to putting taxpayers at the centre of our service delivery. It outlines the principles and values that will drive our interactions with taxpayers by ensuring that every engagement is defined by respect, professionalism, and efficiency.”
He further stated that this guide serves as a reminder that taxpayers are not just clients but valued partners in nation-building. “Through the combination of the *829# 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,” he remarked.
Nnenna Akajemeli, the national coordinator of Servicom, commended FIRS for its efforts toward enhancing taxpayer satisfaction, stating, “There are many things to congratulate the FIRS on. One is the launch of the USSD code *829# and the customer centricity guide. These initiatives are simplifying tax and ensuring that citizens and taxpayers are delighted at the quality of service you render.”
Loveth Onanuga, FIRS Director of the Taxpayers’ Service Department, underscored the agency’s understanding that customer-centricity involves not only meeting customers’ basic needs but also exceeding their expectations. She affirmed that the theme for the week encourages FIRS staff to go “above and beyond what customers anticipate and astonishing them with great service.”
The launch of the *829# USSD code and the Customer Centricity Guide marks a significant step forward in the FIRS’s commitment to enhancing taxpayer engagement and satisfaction, promising a more efficient tax experience for all Nigerians.
