|By Adejumo Adekunle
The Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has unveiled an ambitious plan to raise ₦15 billion in monthly revenue by 2026 through a revamped tax framework built on fairness, efficiency, and digital innovation.
Alhaji Muhammed Abba Aliyu, Executive Director of Compliance and Enforcement at KIRS, announced the target during a multi-sector stakeholders’ engagement organized in partnership with the Partnership for Agile Governance and Climate Engagement (PACE) in Kano.
Aliyu said the new framework focuses on shielding low-income earners while strengthening public confidence in the tax system. “Only individuals earning above ₦800,000 annually will be taxed,” he stated, emphasizing that the approach aims to reduce financial strain on lower-income citizens while ensuring equitable contribution.
He explained that the system now centers on income tax from employment and businesses, service charges for public amenities, and penalties for legal infractions — a model designed to streamline revenue collection and reinforce accountability between the government and citizens.
PACE representative, Alhassan Usman, highlighted the transformative role of digital tax systems, urging residents to adopt cashless transactions for tax payments. He said digital channels not only promote transparency and traceability but also empower entrepreneurs with accurate financial records that enhance business planning and access to growth opportunities.
This initiative comes as Kano State recorded a remarkable increase in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), doubling its earnings from ₦37.38 billion in 2023 to ₦74.77 billion in 2024, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s Special Adviser on Information, Ibrahim Adam, attributed the feat to the administration’s reforms in plugging leakages and restructuring KIRS since the governor assumed office in 2023. He said the governor’s decision to appoint experienced professionals to drive the state’s revenue system has yielded visible results.
Adam added that Governor Yusuf remains grateful to the people of Kano for their cooperation and reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the momentum through transparent governance and citizen-centered policies.
