During a 3-day training session on tax audit, investigation, compliance, and enforcement, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule urged tax professionals and administrators from North-Central Nigeria to uncover and exploit new trends in tax administration to boost the region's internally generated revenue (IGR).
Governor Sule emphasized the potential for North-Central states to achieve financial independence through effective tax strategies, leveraging their abundant human and natural resources.
He noted Nasarawa State’s significant revenue growth following the implementation of the State Harmonization & Administration of Revenue Law 2020, which has positioned the state as a leader in tax administration.
Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Sule commended the state's revenue service for fostering a tax-friendly environment and stressed the importance of accountability and efficiency in resource management. He urged the Joint Tax Board to ensure the region benefits from improved tax enforcement policies.
Ahmed Yakubu Muhammad, Executive Chairman of Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service, highlighted the low tax compliance and enforcement in Nigeria compared to other African nations.
He called for a change to enhance tax collection, emphasizing that non-compliance is a penal offense. Muhammad reaffirmed Nasarawa State's commitment to exceeding its annual tax target of three billion Naira.
Olusegun Ogusekan, Secretary of the Joint Tax Board, stated that the training aims to equip tax professionals with advanced skills in tax management and audit. State Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Planning, Munirat Abdullahi, encouraged stakeholders to contribute innovative ideas to improve tax generation and compliance across the country.
This initiative reflects a concerted effort to fortify the financial autonomy of North-Central states through robust tax administration practices.
