Kaduna Has Potential to Generate N150 Billion Monthly in Revenue, Says Budget Commissioner

Kaduna State has the potential to generate up to 150 billion naira in monthly revenue through effective tax compliance, according to Hon. Mukhtar Ahmed, the state’s Commissioner of Planning and Budget.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS) on the theme “Unlocking Revenue Potential: A Collaborative Strategy for Sustainable Growth through a Centralised Payment Gateway in Kaduna State,” Ahmed outlined strategies for achieving this goal, including automation, inter-agency collaboration, and robust public sensitisation.

Ahmed emphasized that compliance remains the primary challenge to increasing internal revenue. “Look at all the beautiful houses and businesses in Kaduna; we need to support the government by paying our taxes,” he said, stressing that citizens’ contributions are essential to funding state initiatives. He highlighted the importance of preparing for potential reductions in federal allocations, noting, “We are approaching a stage where people are becoming more aware of what they want from the government, and it can only work if the state has funds.”

The commissioner underscored the need for a stable revenue base, stating that a predictable internal revenue stream would empower the state to better serve its citizens. “Any budget that doesn’t have a revenue side of it is not a budget but a dream,” he asserted, adding that his commission has identified 13 key revenue-generating agencies, each with targets of one billion naira or more per quarter. He plans to meet with these “big billionaires” regularly to assess progress and tackle challenges.

Ahmed detailed the efforts his team is making to support these agencies in meeting their targets. Regular quarterly meetings, he explained, allow them to strategise on achieving revenue goals and to address any obstacles before they impact results. These meetings, he noted, help ensure the agencies are aligned with the state’s financial objectives.

The Executive Director of Standards and Compliance at KADIRS, Ali Gora, added that the engagement was organised to educate stakeholders on KADIRS initiatives and to gather feedback on public concerns. This collaborative approach, he said, will be crucial in driving the state toward its ambitious revenue targets.