1,000 Major Nigerian Firms Join FIRS E-Invoicing Platform Including MTN, Huawei, IHS

FIRS Integrates 1,000 Large Taxpayers into E-Invoicing Platform

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has successfully integrated 1,000 large taxpayers into its newly introduced e-invoicing platform, a landmark step aimed at enhancing transparency, blocking leakages, and modernizing tax administration in Nigeria.

Speaking at a two-day E-Invoice Post Go-Live Workshop in Lagos, the Director of Change Management at FIRS, Emmanuel Eze, confirmed that the onboarding was completed within weeks of the system’s official launch on August 1, 2025.

Representing the Chief of Staff to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Tayo Koleosho, Eze explained that some of Nigeria’s biggest corporations were among the first to transmit live invoices on the platform. These pioneering firms include MTN Nigeria, Huawei Nigeria, and IHS Nigeria, marking the start of a new era of digital tax compliance.

According to FIRS, the 1,000 firms onboarded so far represent about 20 percent of the more than 5,000 large taxpayers eligible for the platform. Large taxpayers are defined as businesses with an annual turnover of ₦5 billion and above.

Eze emphasized that the e-invoicing platform was designed to strengthen compliance by allowing real-time monitoring of transactions, thereby reducing opportunities for tax evasion and manipulation. He explained that with electronic invoicing, both FIRS and companies can maintain transparent, auditable records that ensure accountability.

The FIRS official also reassured taxpayers that the agency is committed to making the transition as smooth as possible. He revealed that the service has extended the compliance deadline by three months, moving it to November 1, 2025, to give companies more time to fully integrate their operations with the system.

“FIRS is aware that digital transformation comes with challenges, particularly for large organizations with complex systems. This extension ensures that taxpayers can adjust without disruption while still aligning with global best practices,” Eze noted.

The e-invoicing platform, known as the Merchant-Buyer Model, was initially piloted in November 2024 before going live in August 2025. It enables businesses to electronically generate, transmit, and authenticate invoices in real-time. This process reduces paperwork, eliminates manual errors, and blocks leakages that have historically undermined revenue collection.

Industry observers have described the initiative as a bold move toward repositioning Nigeria’s tax system for the digital age. Experts point out that the inclusion of major players like MTN, Huawei, and IHS demonstrates the seriousness of the project and will encourage wider adoption among other large taxpayers.

For businesses, the platform offers additional benefits beyond compliance. It simplifies financial reporting, reduces disputes with regulators, and enhances operational efficiency. Many organizations also see it as a way to improve corporate governance and strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s business climate.

Eze praised the firms that had already transmitted their first invoices, calling them “pacesetters” in the drive toward digital transformation. He encouraged other large taxpayers yet to come onboard to seize the opportunity and align with the government’s vision of a transparent and efficient tax ecosystem.

As Nigeria seeks to diversify its economy away from oil dependence, improving non-oil revenue through robust tax collection has become a top priority. The onboarding of 1,000 large taxpayers into the e-invoicing platform is expected to significantly boost government revenue while reducing fraudulent practices.

The FIRS reiterated its commitment to scaling the platform in phases until all eligible taxpayers are integrated. The long-term goal, according to officials, is to establish a fully digital tax system that covers not just large corporations but eventually medium and small businesses across the country.

With this milestone, Nigeria joins a growing list of countries adopting digital tax solutions to improve efficiency, accountability, and public trust in governance.