Kaduna Generates N220bn Tax Through Stakeholder Dialogue

Kaduna State generated about N220 billion in tax revenue between 2023 and 2025 through sustained engagement with taxpayers and other stakeholders, the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mohammed Ibrahim Tanko, has said.

Tanko disclosed this on Tuesday while representing Governor Uba Sani at the North-West Zonal Stakeholders’ Engagement Meeting on “Promoting Fairness in Tax and Revenue Administration”, organised by the Office of the Tax Ombud in Kaduna.

He said the North-West geopolitical zone generated about N916 billion in tax revenue during the period, with Kaduna accounting for about N220 billion.

According to him, the state achieved the revenue figure without resorting to what he described as unnecessary or excessive enforcement against taxpayers.

Tanko attributed the performance to sustained dialogue with taxpayers, businesses and other stakeholders, which he said encouraged voluntary compliance.

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

The commissioner said such an office would strengthen dialogue among government, businesses, professionals and other stakeholders while improving tax administration in the region.

Tanko also said the Kaduna Government had changed the way internally generated revenue was deployed, with greater emphasis on infrastructure and other development projects.

He said taxpayers should be able to see tangible benefits from the taxes they paid, noting that the government had decided to channel revenue towards infrastructure capable of providing lasting value.

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, impartial and non-judicial institution to address complaints arising from taxes, levies, regulatory fees and charges, customs, excise and duties.

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

He, however, cautioned taxpayers against viewing the Tax Ombud as a means of avoiding legitimate tax obligations, stressing that the agency did not make tax policy or shield taxpayers from lawful liabilities.

He urged tax authorities to ensure that revenue collection was transparent and followed due process, while taxpayers should fulfil their legal obligations.

The Acting Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Dr Mohammed Lawal, said the Tax Ombud had provided a middle ground for resolving disputes between taxpayers and revenue authorities.

He said disputes previously often resulted in enforcement or litigation because taxpayers and revenue authorities lacked adequate alternative channels for resolving disagreements.