12th February, 2025
By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Kano
The Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has set an ambitious target of generating N120 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the 2025 fiscal year.
The agency has implemented stringent measures to block leakages and prevent revenue diversion, ensuring that all funds are properly accounted for.
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, the Executive Chairman of KIRS, Dr. Zaid Abubakar, expressed confidence in meeting the target, citing Kano’s vast economic potential, international markets, and corporate establishments.
“We have a revenue target of N75 billion in this year’s budget, but as a management, we have increased it to N100 billion, with aspirations to reach N120 billion.
“Given Kano’s position as the commercial hub of Nigeria, with five major markets and a large population, the state should ideally be generating up to N300 billion annually,” he stated.
Dr. Abubakar lamented the billions lost due to illegal revenue collection practices, which saw funds diverted into private accounts instead of government coffers. He revealed that from 2015 to 2022, there were no proper records of IGR in the state.
To address these challenges, KIRS introduced a Single Central Revenue Account (SCRA) to consolidate all revenue collections into one account. Additionally, the agency has overhauled its workforce, replacing ineffective officials with young, agile personnel to modernise revenue collection.
The KIRS chairman also announced that the Kano State government, under Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved a comprehensive review of the state’s revenue laws to enhance collection efficiency. The legal reforms, expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2025, aim to update obsolete tax laws and improve compliance.
Furthermore, KIRS has launched a taxpayer engagement initiative to raise awareness and foster a better relationship between tax authorities and citizens. The move is intended to streamline revenue collection, ease the burden on staff, and ensure transparency.
Dr. Abubakar commended Governor Yusuf for his unwavering support, which he said has strengthened the agency’s operations.
In a goodwill message, the Special Adviser on Revenue, Prof. Ibrahim Barde, urged KIRS to address lingering challenges in revenue generation.
He also revealed that the state government is considering the introduction of agricultural produce revenue as an additional source of income.
