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Federal Inland Revenue Service shuts offices of OPay in Lagos and Abuja.
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Action linked to alleged breaches of Nigeria Tax Act 2025 involving VAT and company income tax.
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Move signals growing scrutiny of foreign fintech operations in Nigeria’s digital economy.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has reportedly sealed the offices of fintech firm OPay in Lagos and Abuja over alleged violations of the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
According to reports, the enforcement action relates to issues involving Value Added Tax (VAT) and Companies Income Tax (CIT). Notices placed on the premises warned that the official seals must not be removed without the authorisation of the FIRS Executive Chairman.
OPay, a Chinese-backed fintech platform that entered the Nigerian market in 2018, has grown rapidly in the country’s digital payments sector, serving millions of users.
The enforcement action has raised questions about regulatory compliance among foreign technology platforms operating within Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Public policy analyst Emmanuel Adeniyi said the situation reflects a pattern seen in several emerging markets where international tech firms expand rapidly but later face regulatory scrutiny over financial transparency and operations.
The development comes amid increasing global oversight of digital platforms, with governments seeking stronger control over taxation, data governance and financial flows linked to international technology companies.
Industry observers say the outcome of the dispute between OPay and Nigerian tax authorities could have significant implications for the country’s fast-growing fintech and digital payments landscape.