Revenue authorities from across Northern Nigeria recently gathered in Kano State to assess the region’s readiness for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s new tax reform, set to take effect January 1, 2026.
The reform, proposed in 2024, is aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s fiscal system and strengthening state revenue generation.
The three-day conference, held under the theme “Readiness, Reforms and Digital Transformation,” brought together heads of state internal revenue services, tax administrators, and fiscal policy experts.
The meeting focused on evaluating how prepared the northern states are to implement the new tax framework, which follows the repeal of outdated tax laws.
Representing the State Chairman of Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service, Prince Ahmed Yakubu Mai-Sule, at the meeting was Executive Secretary Ahmad Jibril Khalid Magajin Mallam Keana, who led a team of senior officials.
The delegation actively participated in discussions on institutional strengthening, digital integration, and transparency measures aimed at enhancing revenue management.
Participants emphasized that the benefits of the new tax reform are long overdue. These include:
Expansion of the tax base, covering more sectors of the economy.
Reduction of revenue leakages through improved monitoring and reporting systems.
Simplified compliance for individuals and businesses.
Increased internally generated revenue (IGR) for state governments, enabling investment in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and local development.
Experts at the conference also highlighted that the reform is expected to stimulate economic diversification, create jobs, and boost private-sector investments.
However, they warned that the reform’s success depends on proactive leadership, inter-state collaboration, and full adoption of digital tools for tax administration.
In his remarks, Ahmad Jibril Khalid Magajin Mallam Keana reaffirmed Nasarawa State’s readiness to align with the national reform agenda:
Nasarawa State is fully prepared to key into President Tinubu’s new tax reform.
We are strengthening our institutions, building digital capacity, and ensuring that compliance systems meet modern standards.
This reform will drive transparency, increase revenue, and ultimately improve the lives of our people,” he said.
The meeting concluded with a clear message: Northern states must rise to the challenge, ensuring that this long-overdue reform is implemented effectively.
The success of the new tax system is expected to redefine the fiscal landscape of the region, promoting economic growth and development.
