Economy
KIRS targets higher revenue through better customer relations — Chairman
KIRS
The Executive Chairman of the Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, says the agency is targeting higher revenue generation through improved customer relations and service delivery.
Abubakar stated this in Kano on Friday during activities marking the 2025 Customer Service Week, which focused on promoting stronger engagement between the service and taxpayers.
Represented by Executive Director Support Services Group, Mr Hamisu Garko, said the agency’s reforms were designed to make taxpayers the centre of its operations, adding that effective communication and quality service remained critical to enhancing voluntary compliance.
“Our taxpayers are at the heart of what we do. We have continued to reform our processes to make revenue collection more transparent, efficient, and customer-friendly,” he said.
According to him, KIRS has introduced new strategies to strengthen the relationship between staff and taxpayers, including capacity-building programmes and regular stakeholder meetings.
“We are training our staff to better understand how to relate with customers because they are the backbone of our operations. Without taxpayers, there will be no service,” he added.
Abubakar said the agency had set ambitious targets for the year, focusing on doubling its revenue generation compared to the previous year through innovation, digitalisation, and enhanced public trust.
“Our goal is to improve our revenue performance by deepening engagement and encouraging voluntary compliance among taxpayers,” he said.
The chairman commended taxpayers for their cooperation and urged them to continue supporting government’s efforts to improve service delivery across the state.
“We will continue to build a system that prioritises transparency, accountability, and customer satisfaction,” he said.
Earlier, the Director General of Kano State Signage and
Advertisement Agency, Kabir Dakata commended the state government for its prudent management of resources and the ongoing infrastructural transformation across the state.
He said the remarkable progress recorded in the state’s infrastructural development was made possible by the efficient revenue generation system and the transparent use of funds by the administration of Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
“We are witnessing a great transformation in infrastructure, and this would not have been possible without your collective effort,”he explained.
A taxpayer, Mr. Samson Joshua, has urged the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) to simplify its payment processes by fully digitising the system to enable residents to make payments conveniently from their homes or offices.
He said that adopting a fully digital platform would not only ease the stress taxpayers experience at physical offices but also improve transparency and accountability in the revenue system.
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The Executive Chairman, Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, says the consolidation of Area Tax Offices from 28 to 12 Revenue Service Centres was a strategic move to improve efficiency and oversight.
Abubakar disclosed this at the KIRS Annual Dinner and Awards Night in Kano, noting that the reform was complemented by the recruitment of over 100 new staff to sustain the Service’s transformation agenda.
He explained that the restructuring was part of broader measures that had boosted Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from N74 billion in 2024 to N102 billion in 2025.
According to him, the Service had also introduced reforms in motor vehicle administration, including faster turnaround for number plate issuance, improved server uptime and deployment of mobile enforcement equipment.
On future plans, Abubakar announced the introduction of an Annual Development Levy of N2,000, with 50 per cent of collections retained at the community level to support grassroots development.
He added that permanent, state-of-the-art Area Offices would be established across the state to replace rented facilities, while integration with the Nigeria Revenue Service would enhance intelligence and data-driven decision-making.
The chairman said the Service was targeting N200 billion in IGR once full institutional autonomy was achieved, commending staff for their dedication and urging them to remain focused.
Speaking also, the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Alhaji Musa Shanono, commended KIRS for its outstanding performance, describing the achievements as a testament to the agency’s professionalism in enhancing revenue generation.
Shanono lauded Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his proactive development strides, highlighting his administration’s commitment to infrastructural expansion, social welfare programmes and economic empowerment initiatives.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Human Resource Services, Hajiya Fatima Ahmad, congratulated the awardees and expressed confidence that the recognition would inspire them to pursue the ambition of N200 billion in IGR.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event also featured award presentations to outstanding staff members in recognition of their exceptional performance.
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Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kano have been urged to tap into Nigeria’s capital market as a strategic tool for wealth creation and business expansion.
Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), made the remarks in Kano on the sidelines of a stakeholders’ meeting themed ‘Unlocking Growth: Harnessing the Capital Market for SME Growth.’”
Kwairanga emphasised that access to capital market instruments could provide SMEs with the funding needed to scale operations and generate sustainable wealth.
The chairman noted that SMEs form the backbone of the Nigerian economy and have the potential to significantly contribute to national economic growth if properly supported.
He added that NGX has designed initiatives to make capital market participation more accessible to businesses across the country.
“Our aim is to engage prospective and listed companies in the NGX, helping them meet the necessary requirements to fully benefit from market opportunities.We want these SMEs to achieve great success, just like Dangote or BUA,” he said.
He highlighted the investment potential in the capital market, citing that last year, companies in the sector, particularly engineering firms, delivered returns exceeding 50 percent.
“Currently, our market has already returned over 30 percent, and we are confident of tripling last year’s performance,” he added.
Kwairanga also cited local success stories such as Jai’s Bank, a non-interest bank listed on the stock exchange. Its shares, initially priced at one unit, have risen to over ten units, illustrating the wealth creation potential of strategic investments.
Stressing the need to engage young people and women, Kwairanga said, “ 70 percent of our population is under 30. If we do not provide these opportunities, we risk producing untapped potential that could become a ‘time bomb’ for the future.” he explained.
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The Katsina State Statistician-General, Prof. Saifullahi Sani, has disbursed more than N20 million to students, Islamic preachers, and women groups in Matazu Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking during the event on Monday in Matazu, Sani said the gesture was part of his personal contribution toward supporting people in his constituency and improving their livelihood.
He explained that the assistance to more than 2,000 people was aimed at empowering the beneficiaries and easing economic hardship among vulnerable groups in the area.
According to the statistician-general, more than 114 students currently in second-class upper division across the local government area will receive N100,000 each as scholarships.
“The support will also be extended to members of the Gwagware Foundation media team, members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as other vulnerable individuals within the community,” he said.
Sani called on the beneficiaries to make good use of the funds, assuring them of his continued commitment to supporting the less privileged and promoting initiatives that would enhance the development of the area.
He also commended Gov. Dikko Radda for encouraging individuals and organisations to support the poor and contribute to community development.
Earlier, the APC Chairman in Matazu local government area, Mansur Aliyu, noted that the financial assistance would enable beneficiaries to establish small-scale businesses and become self-reliant.
He further urged wealthy individuals and elected representatives from the area to support poor families financially and contribute toward the rapid development of the community.
One of the beneficiaries, Samaila Sani, commended Sani for the gesture and assured that the funds would be used judiciously.
Similarly, Hadiza Maikudi, who spoke on behalf of women organisations in the area, said the support would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of many women and their families.
NAN
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