TSA: Its ‘dangerous’ to nationalise Lagos-style revenue model – Ex-VP faults Tinubu Govt

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the Federal Government for what he described as a “quiet and dangerous” appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited as a new collecting agent under the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system.

In a strongly worded statement on X (formerly Twitter), Atiku called the decision a “state capture” and alleged that it reflects an attempt to “nationalise the Alpha Beta model,” referring to the controversial revenue consultancy structure that operated in Lagos State during and after President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as governor.”

“He claimed the appointment mirrors a system that created “a private toll gate around public revenue,” benefiting politically connected interests.

Atiku said, “The Federal Government must come clean with Nigerians. The quiet appointment of Xpress Payments Solutions Limited as a new TSA collecting agent is not an administrative decision; it is a dangerous resurrection of the Alpha Beta revenue cartel that dominated Lagos State during and after the Tinubu years.”

“That model created a private toll gate around public revenue and funnelled state funds into the hands of a politically connected monopoly.

“What we are witnessing now is the attempt to nationalise that same template, moving Nigeria from a republic to a private holding company controlled by a small circle of vested interests.

“To introduce such a policy in the middle of a national tragedy, while Nigerians are mourning loved ones lost to the deepening insecurity crisis, is not only insensitive, it is a deliberate act of governance by stealth. Leadership should show empathy and focus on securing lives, not expanding private revenue pipelines.

“This latest move raises fundamental questions: Why was this appointment rushed and smuggled into the public space without consultation, stakeholder engagement, or National Assembly oversight?”.

“What value does Xpress Payments add that existing TSA channels do not already provide? Who truly benefits from this? Nigeria or an entrenched political network?

“This is not reform. This is state capture masquerading as digital innovation. Nigeria does not need more middlemen between citizens and government revenue. What we need is transparency, strong institutions, and a tax system free from political capture.”

He outlined key demands, including:

Immediate suspension of the Xpress Payments appointment pending a public inquiry;

Full disclosure of contractual terms, beneficiaries, fee structures, and selection criteria;

• A comprehensive audit of TSA operations to prevent creeping privatisation of revenue collection;
• A legal framework to prevent private proxies from being inserted into core government revenue systems;
• A shift in national priorities, recognising that a country under security threat cannot run economic governance in secrecy.

Atiku concluded by stressing that public funds should not serve as rewards for political loyalty, especially as insecurity continues to strain communities.

He urged the government to abandon what he called “Lagos-style revenue cartelisation” and instead promote transparency, constitutional governance, and public accountability.

He added, “Nigeria’s revenues are not political spoils. They are the lifeblood of our national survival, especially at a time when insecurity is tearing communities apart.”

“The government must abandon this Lagos-style revenue cartelisation and return to the path of transparency, constitutionalism, and public accountability.”