Abuja, Nigeria — The Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC) has expressed serious concerns over the planned rollout of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), cautioning that the initiative could expose Nigeria’s maritime revenue system to “opaque consultant capture” and other governance risks if appropriate safeguards are not put in place prior to implementation. premiumnewsdaily.com.ng
In a policy bulletin published this week, SEREC warned that although the NRS reform — scheduled to centralise federal revenue collection across key agencies — has the potential to streamline revenue processes and reduce duplications, the possible involvement of private consultants in operating revenue collection platforms could open the door to non-transparent intermediaries and contractual capture, undermining accountability and parliamentary oversight of maritime revenues. premiumnewsdaily.com.ng
The research body’s Head of Research, Dr. Eugene Nweke, noted that fears around non-transparent engagement of consultants are especially significant within the maritime sector, where historical governance challenges and weak institutional trust could amplify the risks of rent-seeking behaviours and complicate audit processes. premiumnewsdaily.com.ng
SEREC’s analysis highlights that without robust legal, institutional and technical safeguards, the NRS transition could undermine revenue integrity by creating proprietary systems resistant to public scrutiny, channel public money through opaque entities, and weaken long-established oversight mechanisms. premiumnewsdaily.com.ng
To mitigate these risks, the centre has called for proactive measures including full publication of all consultant contracts, competitive procurement processes with parliamentary supervision, statutory limitations on contract tenure, and prohibitions on private custody of public funds. It also recommended the establishment of open APIs, real-time public dashboards for revenue flows, and quarterly independent audits, all designed to enhance transparency and citizen confidence. premiumnewsdaily.com.ng
Dr. Nweke stressed that while the centralisation of revenue collection through the NRS could transform Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness and fiscal integrity, these benefits can only materialise if the reform is anchored in legally enforceable transparency, strict procurement and custody rules, credible oversight, and targeted social protections. The Nation Newspaper
SEREC’s intervention adds to broader sectoral debates on the impending NRS rollout, underscoring the need for meticulous design and governance clarity to ensure that the reform enhances rather than erodes institutional integrity in Nigeria’s maritime revenue ecosystem.
December 16, 2025
Source: Premium News Daily