KADUNA GENERATED N220BN TAX THROUGH DIALOGUE, COMMISSIONER SAYS

The Kaduna State Government says it generated about N220bn in tax revenue between 2023 and 2025 through engagement with taxpayers and businesses rather than what it described as aggressive enforcement.

The state Commissioner for Finance, Mohammed Ibrahim Tanko, disclosed this on Tuesday while representing Governor Uba Sani at a North-West Zonal Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting on tax and revenue administration in Kaduna.

Tanko said the North-West region generated about N916bn in tax revenue during the period, with Kaduna contributing approximately N220bn.

He attributed Kaduna’s revenue performance to regular engagement with taxpayers, businesses and other stakeholders, which he said encouraged voluntary compliance.

According to him, the state demonstrated that government could increase revenue without relying heavily on enforcement measures.

Tanko called on the Office of the Tax Ombud to establish a zonal office in Kaduna to serve taxpayers and revenue authorities across the North-West.

He said such a presence would strengthen dialogue between government, businesses and professionals while improving tax administration in the region.

The commissioner also said the Kaduna Government had changed how internally generated revenue was being used, with greater emphasis on infrastructure and other development projects.

He said taxpayers should be able to see tangible benefits from the taxes they pay, rather than having the funds used mainly to pay salaries.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Tax Ombud, Dr John Nwabueze, said the agency was established as an independent and impartial institution to address complaints relating to taxes, levies, regulatory fees, customs, excise and other charges.

Nwabueze said the agency had introduced a digital complaint portal, case management system and toll-free call centre to make it easier for taxpayers to seek redress.

He stressed, however, that the Tax Ombud was not an avenue for taxpayers to avoid legitimate tax obligations.

Nwabueze urged revenue authorities to ensure that tax collection was transparent and followed due process, while taxpayers should also meet their lawful obligations.

The Acting Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Mohammed Lawal, said the Tax Ombud had created an alternative channel for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities without immediately resorting to enforcement or litigation.