Kogi State Government has charged revenue-generating agencies to intensify efforts to achieve a monthly Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target of ₦6 billion to sustain the state’s financial independence and ensure prompt salary payments for civil servants.
The Commissioner for Finance, Budget, and Economic Planning, Hon.Asiwaju Idris Asiru who stated this during the 2025 budget breakdown held at the Government House in Lokoja reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to ensuring that salaries are paid exclusively from IGR within the next six months, without imposing unnecessary financial burdens on citizens and small businesses.
According to him, the Kogi State’s annual IGR as of December 2024 stood at approximately ₦ 27.73 billion, averaging ₦ 2.3 billion per month, a significant improvement from ₦6.5 billion annually in 2015.
He said that , to reach the ₦6 billion monthly target, the state must move more than triple its current revenue generation, requiring a multi-faceted and strategic approach.
To drive this ambitious revenue growth, the Commissioner stated that the state government has outlined comprehensive strategies, including:
Strengthening Revenue Collection: He stated that the government is enhancing tax collection efficiency through technology-driven solutions that minimize leakages and optimize real-time revenue tracking.
Broadening the Tax Base: Efforts are being intensified to capture more taxable entities, especially in the informal sector, ensuring equitable contributions without overburdening businesses.
Digitalization: Implementing digital solutions for revenue collection to minimize leakages and improve efficiency.
Economic Diversification: Kogi is expanding revenue sources by investing in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, tourism, and manufacturing to reduce reliance on traditional tax revenue.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Strategic collaborations with private investors will drive revenue from infrastructure, services, and industries, reducing the financial strain on the state government.
Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening: Revenue officers and agencies will be trained and equipped with modern tools and data-driven insights to enhance revenue administration.
Hon. Idris emphasized that it is important to note that while the administration has made significant strides in increasing the state’s IGR, achieving a monthly target of ₦6 billion would require sustained efforts, strategic planning, and the active participation of stakeholders in the state’s economy
He stressed that the revenue growth initiative aligns with Governor Ododo’s vision of financial independence, enabling Kogi to fund salaries, execute developmental projects, and reduce dependence on federal allocations.
He also noted that the administration is focused on driving an economy that works for everyone. By implementing these strategic revenue initiatives, we will ensure that civil servants’ salaries are paid from our internally generated revenue while maintaining a business-friendly environment. This buttressed the Ododo administration’s resolve and signals a bold step toward economic resilience, fiscal sustainability, and improved service delivery.
Kogi State is on track to becoming a model for revenue generation and financial independence in Nigeria he noted.
