Gov. Sani’s political will boosted kaduna revenue, tax compliance — KADIRS

The outgoing Executive Chairman of Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Mr Jerry Adams, says Gov.
Uba Sani’s political will improved revenue generation and tax compliance.

Adams made the disclosure while speaking at the ongoing 160th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board, taking place in Kaduna.

He said the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) increased from N58 billion before 2023 to N62 billion in 2023.

According to him, the state’s IGR further rose to N71 billion in 2024, before reaching N85 billion in 2025.

“In 2025, we recorded an annual revenue of N85 billion, with an average monthly collection of N7 billion,” Adams said.

He added that the state was currently trending toward N120 billion, with an average monthly collection of N10 billion.

Adams described the growth as steady and sustainable, rather than a temporary spike, citing stronger collaboration with MDAs and stakeholders.

He said the improved performance was also supported by the commitment of Gov. Uba Sani to allow KADIRS operate without interference.

Adams recalled that between 2019 and 2023, the highest annual collection recorded was N59 billion in 2022, averaging N4.8 billion monthly.

He, however, said the 2022 figure was partly driven by back-duty recoveries, sale of government properties and other one-off recoveries.

According to him, the revenue model eventually stalled by early 2023, making it necessary for KADIRS to adopt a new strategy.

“We could no longer keep squeezing the same familiar taxpayers a little harder each year and call it strategy,” he said.

Adams said the service consequently shifted its focus toward expanding the tax base, rather than depending mainly on existing taxpayers.

He said KADIRS fully digitised its processes to block leakages through the introduction of the PAYKADUNA portal and Project C.R.A.F.T.

The project, he said, created a centralised payment system for state revenue and reduced gaps associated with informal cash-based collections.

Adams said KADIRS also recruited additional personnel, provided working tools and facilitated promotions for staff whose promotions had been delayed.

He added that the service strengthened staff capacity through training and established three additional area offices, bringing the total to 37.

According to him, the additional offices improved accessibility and strengthened the service’s ability to expand the tax net across the state.

Adams said KADIRS also strengthened collaboration with the Joint Revenue Board, Nigeria Revenue Service and Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

He said data sharing arrangements with the institutions had helped identify taxable activities that previously remained outside the revenue system.

Adams, who is the APC running mate for the 2027 governorship election, said tax compliance was largely a function of trust.

“When we began, compliance across the state stood at a modest 30 per cent. Today, it has risen to approximately 65 per cent,” he said.

The outgoing chairman, however, said the achievement should be regarded as a governance success involving various stakeholders, rather than KADIRS alone.