Protesters have stormed the headquarters of the Nigerian Revenue Service (NRS) in Abuja, expressing outrage over alleged irregularities in the appointment of directors and demanding that proper procedures be followed in the recruitment process.

The demonstration, which saw dozens of aggrieved individuals converge on the revenue agency’s offices, highlights growing concerns about transparency and fairness in public sector appointments. Protesters carried placards and chanted slogans calling for justice and adherence to established guidelines in the selection of senior officials.

According to the demonstrators, the recent appointment of directors to key positions within the NRS violated merit-based recruitment principles and bypassed qualified candidates in favor of individuals with political connections. They allege that the process lacked transparency and failed to follow the agency’s own regulations for promoting or appointing personnel to leadership roles.

Spokespersons for the protest group claimed that several qualified internal candidates who had served the agency diligently for years were overlooked in favor of external appointees with questionable credentials. They argued that such practices demoralize dedicated staff and undermine the efficiency and integrity of the revenue collection system.

The protesters presented a list of demands to NRS management, including the immediate review of recent director appointments, publication of selection criteria and processes used in making the appointments, establishment of an independent committee to investigate alleged irregularities, and commitment to merit-based recruitment for all future senior positions.

Security personnel were deployed to maintain order at the NRS headquarters as the protest unfolded, though the demonstration remained largely peaceful. Management representatives received a written petition from the protesters, promising to review their grievances and respond appropriately.

NRS officials have not yet issued a comprehensive public statement addressing the specific allegations raised by the protesters. However, sources within the agency suggest that management views the appointments as legitimate and conducted in accordance with applicable regulations and government directives.

The controversy comes at a sensitive time for the NRS, which has been tasked with expanding revenue collection to meet Nigeria’s growing fiscal needs. Critics argue that leadership appointments based on political considerations rather than competence could compromise the agency’s effectiveness and public confidence in its operations.

Civil society organizations monitoring public sector governance have called for transparency in addressing the protesters’ concerns. They emphasize that appointment processes in revenue agencies must be beyond reproach, given the critical role these institutions play in national development and the need to maintain public trust.

Labor unions within the NRS have also expressed concern about the situation, though they have not officially endorsed the protest. Union leaders have called for dialogue between management and aggrieved staff to resolve the dispute and prevent further disruptions to the agency’s operations.

Some political analysts view the protest as part of a broader pattern of discontent over patronage appointments in federal agencies, where qualified professionals feel increasingly sidelined by political considerations in personnel decisions. They argue that such practices ultimately weaken institutional capacity and governance.

The Federal Civil Service Commission, which oversees appointments in government agencies, has not commented on the specific NRS controversy. However, commission guidelines emphasize merit, competence, and federal character principles as key criteria for senior appointments in public service.

As the situation develops, attention is focused on how NRS leadership will respond to the allegations and whether the agency will take steps to address concerns about transparency in its appointment processes. The protesters have vowed to continue their advocacy until their demands are met and proper procedures are restored.

The incident underscores ongoing challenges in balancing political considerations with merit-based appointment systems in Nigeria’s public sector, a tension that affects many government agencies and continues to generate controversy across different administrations.