Kano State’s Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has uncovered multiple private accounts allegedly used to divert public revenue, with billions of naira reportedly missing.
This revelation was made by Dr. Zaid Abubakar, the agency’s Executive Chairman, during the 2024 Annual Performance Review and Strategic Planning session for 2025.
Dr. Abubakar expressed deep concern over the mismanagement of the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) under previous administrations, which he accused of misappropriation and under-reporting of income.
According to him, such practices have resulted in significant revenue leakages, undermining the state’s financial stability.
In response, the current leadership has introduced a series of reforms aimed at enhancing revenue collection and transparency.
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Dr. Abubakar highlighted the establishment of a central revenue account, which he believes will improve accountability and reduce the chances of further mismanagement.
Despite Kano’s enormous revenue potential, poor management in past years has prevented the state from maximizing its financial resources.
However, Dr. Abubakar is optimistic that the ongoing reforms will result in a significant increase in the state’s IGR, projecting a boost to over N100 billion in 2025, far surpassing the government’s target of N70 billion.
Further strengthening these efforts, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved a review of the state’s tax laws, a process that is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
Additionally, the revenue service has initiated programs aimed at improving taxpayer engagement, educating the public on the agency’s activities and their role in boosting revenue.
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Dr. Abubakar also praised Governor Yusuf’s support, acknowledging that his commitment to reform has been key to the success of the agency’s operations thus far.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Barde, the Special Adviser on Revenue, urged the agency to tackle existing challenges, including exploring revenue collection from agricultural produce, a sector with untapped potential in the state.
As Kano State moves forward with these reforms, officials are hopeful that the newly implemented measures will pave the way for sustainable growth and a more transparent revenue generation system in the years to come.