By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, has attributed the sharp rise in tax compliance and internally generated revenue (IGR) in the state to Governor Uba Sani’s people-centred style of governance.

Adams said the administration’s emphasis on inclusivity, peace-building and workers’ welfare had restored public confidence in government and encouraged voluntary tax compliance.

He spoke while receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, at the KADIRS headquarters in Kaduna, where he also commended journalists for promoting tax awareness and responsible reporting.

According to him, taxpayers are now more willing to fulfil their tax obligations because they can see how government is deploying public funds.

“Governor Uba Sani’s government is a government with a human face. That is why we want him back in 2027,” Adams said.

He added that the administration had promoted fairness and inclusiveness across Kaduna State, reducing religious and ethnic tensions.

“Governor Sani has done a lot in terms of peace-building and inclusivity. People are no longer talking about segregation on the basis of religion. What people are asking for is fairness, and that is what is happening now,” he said.

Adams also commended the governor for engaging all parts of the state, particularly communities in Southern Kaduna and traditional institutions.

“We have seen the governor attend different Christian gatherings as a Muslim. Those of us from Southern Kaduna have also seen him accord due respect to our traditional rulers,” he added.

The KADIRS chairman further said workers in Kaduna State now enjoy greater job security under the present administration.

“For us workers, we have seen that for a long time now, no worker goes to bed afraid of waking up to a sack letter. Job security is guaranteed in Kaduna State at the moment,” he said.

On revenue generation, Adams disclosed that tax compliance had increased from about 30 per cent to nearly 80 per cent, attributing the improvement to growing public trust in government.

“The governor has earned the trust of taxpayers because they can see the results of their taxes through infrastructure development, investments in education, healthcare and other critical sectors. That has encouraged more people to pay taxes voluntarily,” he said.

He explained that the state government now places greater emphasis on dialogue and voluntary compliance rather than punitive enforcement.

“It is not everything that should be about punishment. You don’t solve one problem with another. Where someone commits an infraction, you can allow the person to correct it, pay the necessary penalties and continue, instead of demolishing everything,” he said.

Adams also acknowledged Governor Sani’s support for KADIRS, saying the administration’s political backing had enabled the agency to implement far-reaching reforms.

“We have always taken our requests to the governor, and he has consistently supported us. We appreciate his political will and commitment to ensuring that we succeed,” he said.

He recalled that the current administration inherited significant financial obligations, making increased internally generated revenue essential for effective governance.

“Something had to be done. I was entrusted with the responsibility of revitalising and repositioning the revenue service, and I thank His Excellency for giving me that opportunity,” he said.

Dismissing speculation linking him with higher political ambitions, Adams reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Sani.

“My primary responsibility is to serve as Executive Chairman of KADIRS, and I remain focused on that assignment. I am 100 per cent loyal to the governor. He is my leader, and anything that will make him succeed is what we will do,” he said.

He expressed optimism that Kaduna State could achieve a monthly internally generated revenue of N20 billion if ongoing reforms are sustained.

“Our target is N20 billion monthly. It is ambitious, but it is achievable, and by God’s grace we will continue working towards it,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe, commended Adams for the reforms introduced at KADIRS, describing them as transformative.

According to him, Kaduna State’s monthly internally generated revenue has increased from about N4 billion in 2023 to approximately N9 billion under the current leadership of the revenue agency.

“We have monitored the reforms you introduced, and they are transforming the service. Around 2023, Kaduna State was generating about N4 billion monthly, but within two to three years, those reforms have increased monthly IGR to about N9 billion,” Alabelewe said.

He called for stronger collaboration between KADIRS and the media to deepen public understanding of tax reforms and support the state’s revenue drive.

“We believe that with adequate knowledge, the media will contribute meaningfully towards ensuring that the target of N20 billion monthly internally generated revenue becomes a reality,” he added.