The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting efficient revenue mobilisation, harmonised tax administration, and improved taxpayer experience following its active participation in the 160th Meeting of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) held from 1st to 3rd September, 2026, at the Brigadier General Abba Kyari Banquet Hall, Badiko, Kaduna State.
The high-level meeting, themed “One Year of Tax Reform: Assessing Progress and Addressing Challenges,” brought together heads of 38 revenue authorities, federal tax institutions, and other key stakeholders to assess the progress recorded since the implementation of Nigeria’s tax reforms on 1st January 2026, as well as identify emerging challenges, and strategise for the next phase of implementation.
Declaring the meeting open, the host, Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, emphasised that the ultimate objective of tax reform goes beyond revenue generation, stressing the need to build resilient institutions capable of promoting voluntary compliance through simplified processes, efficient systems, and the strategic deployment of technology.
Delivering the opening remarks on behalf of the JRB Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, the Executive Director, Finance and Corporate Services, Nigeria Revenue Service, Alhaji Muhammad L. Abubakar, noted that the progress recorded in data integration and harmonised operations was encouraging. He, however, stressed that the true measure of the reforms would be reflected in increased resource mobilisation, seamless taxpayer experiences, and greater contributions to national economic development.
Speaking on the impact of the reforms, the JRB Executive Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, addressed misconceptions surrounding alleged tax increases. He disclosed that 18 States' Houses of Assembly had domesticated the Model Harmonised Taxes and Levies Law, which reduced the number of State and local government levies from over fifty to nine sub-heads, while providing significant tax reliefs for micro-enterprises and low-income earners.
At the end of the deliberations, the Board issued a comprehensive communiqué outlining strategic measures aimed at consolidating the gains recorded during the first year of implementation, while addressing outstanding operational challenges across subnational tax jurisdictions.
According to the communiqué which was read by the Executive Chairman, Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi, the Board resolved that the second year of the tax reform should focus on translating legislative frameworks into tangible administrative transformation.
The Board consequently encouraged Revenue Authorities to intensify investments in advanced data infrastructure, strengthen inter-agency information sharing, and enhance their analytical capacities to support evidence-based revenue administration and improved compliance.
The communiqué further urged States that are yet to domesticate the Harmonised Taxes and Levies Law to expedite its enactment with a view to eliminating multiple taxation, reducing revenue collection roadblocks, and promoting a more predictable tax environment for taxpayers and businesses.
Dignitaries present at the event include the Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, and members of the Joint Revenue Board.
Signed:
Funmilola Oguntunbi
Head, Corporate Affairs Department, KW-IRS
07/09/ 2026