Kano State generated a total of N102 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) in 2025, marking a significant increase from the previous year’s performance.
The disclosure was made by the Chairman of the Kano Internal Revenue Service (KIRS), Dr Zaid Abubakar, during the agency’s Annual Dinner and Awards Night held on Sunday in Kano, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The state is now aiming to significantly scale up its revenue profile, with projections indicating nearly a 100 per cent increase in IGR in the coming fiscal year.
What they are saying
Abubakar said the revenue service recorded N102 billion in 2025, up from N74 billion in 2024, reflecting steady growth driven by reforms. He added that Kano is targeting about N200 billion in revenue in 2026, attributing the improvement to institutional restructuring, stronger compliance systems, and enhanced collaboration with stakeholders.
- “The service is targeting N200 billion IGR on attainment of full institutional autonomy,” he said.
The northern state has been implementing a series of reforms to strengthen its revenue laws and administration.
Abubakar explained that the agency has aligned itself with ongoing changes in Nigeria’s tax system, particularly through the development of the Kano State Revenue Administration Law, which is designed to modernise tax operations while preserving local advantages.
More insights
As part of its restructuring efforts, the service reduced its Area Tax Offices from 28 to 12 centralised Revenue Service Centres to improve efficiency and oversight.
- It also recruited 100 additional staff to support ongoing reforms across key areas such as vehicle registration, number plate issuance, and enforcement operations, alongside improvements in digital infrastructure like server uptime.
- In addition, the agency introduced a N2,000 Annual Development Levy, with half of the proceeds retained at the community level to support grassroots development initiatives.
Plans are also underway to build purpose-designed Revenue Service Centres across the state, replacing rented offices, while deeper integration with federal tax systems is expected to enhance data sharing and intelligence-driven decision-making.
What you should know
Kano has been intensifying efforts to scale up its revenue generation in recent years.
- In December 2024, the state government announced plans to generate over N20 billion quarterly in 2025, targeting more than N80 billion for the year.
- By February 2025, that target was revised upward to over N100 billion as authorities unveiled broader medium- and long-term strategies to strengthen fiscal capacity.
For 2026, leveraging ongoing tax reforms, including those linked to the National Identification Number (NIN), the state is projecting N200 billion in IGR, almost double the amount generated in 2025.
