KIRS Targets N100bn IGR in 2025—-The Kano State Revenue Service (KIRS), has set a target to increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to over N100 billion in  2025.

The Executive Chairman of the Service, Dr Zaid Abubakar, made the announcement on Wednesday in Kano, during the agency’s annual performance review for 2024 and its strategic plan for 2025.

Abubakar disclosed that KIRS has developed both medium and long-term plans to enhance the state’s revenue generation.

“For the medium-term revenue collection plan, we aim to collect more than N100 billion in 2025, and in subsequent years, we expect to surpass N200 billion.

“The state government has set a target of N75 billion for 2025, but we are committed to exceeding it,” he explained.

He further noted that the service intended to utilise technology as part of its ongoing digitisation efforts to reduce leakages and improve transparency.

“We will continue to deploy emerging ICT solutions and data management systems to optimise revenue collection, track progress, and ensure efficient administration,” Abubakar stated.

The Executive Chairman explained that the meeting aimed to assess the agency’s activities and performance in the previous year and to strategise for the new fiscal year, aligning efforts to meet collective goals.

He also mentioned that the Kano State Government planned to review the state’s revenue generation laws to strengthen the revenue base.

“The governor has approved a review of these laws, and we expect to complete the process before the end of the first quarter of this year,” Abubakar confirmed.

Cross Border Trade Will Enhance Economic Growth – Customs—-An Assistant Comptroller of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Clement Amaweh, has stressed the importance of promoting Cross Border Trade (CBT) to enhance Nigeria’s economic growth.

Amaweh, the officer-in-charge of Ohumbe Outstation, Yewa North, made the statement while delivering a lecture during the Festival of Art for Economic Development held on Tuesday in Idiroko, Ogun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the programme is themed “Cross Border Trade: Why it Matters”.

Amaweh, a guest speaker at the event, explained that Nigerians needed to promote exports through CBT as a major source of foreign exchange (Forex) earnings.

He said this would help to control inflation and increase Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as create employment for sustainable economic growth and development.

He observes that non-documentation of informal trade usually leads to revenue loss, and the absence of statistical data hinders forex earnings, distorting accurate trade records.

“The simplification and harmonisation of customs clearance procedure will encourage most cross-border traders to formalise trade activities through proper documentation and accurate declaration.

“Also, consistency in policy will significantly facilitate CBT and discourage smuggling,” he said.

Amaweh highlights the following as factors militating against CBT: difficulties in policies and porous borders, language and currency, among others.

Earlier, the Area Comptroller, Ogun 1 Area Command, Mr Mohammed Shuaibu, said in an increasingly interconnected world, CBT could be regarded as a bridge enhancing economic growth and promoting cultural exchange.

According to Shuaibu, partnership among nations enables businesses to reach broader markets, encourages innovation and enhances the availability of goods and services for consumers everywhere.

The programme organiser, Dr Bonny Abisogun, said the event was not only a celebration of art, but a reminder of the diverse cultural and economic landscapes for participants to navigate together.

Abisogun says CBT matters because it allows people to share their resources, ideas and innovations as well as strengthen their economies by creating jobs to enhance market access.