Muhammad Garba
Jigawa State has been recognized as the fastest-growing state in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) among the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in 2024.
The state recorded an impressive N62.60 billion in IGR, marking a 127.31% increase from the N27.54 billion generated in 2023.
This achievement was highlighted in a nomination letter sent to Governor Umar Namadi, declaring him the “Governor of the Year in IGR Award 2025.
” The letter, issued by REVENUE Magazine, a publication of Alford Conferences Limited, was received by Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, Executive Chairman of the Jigawa State Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), in Dutse.
According to the data from the Joint Tax Board (JTB), Jigawa’s remarkable growth placed it as the third fastest-growing state in IGR among all 37 subnationals in Nigeria.
The state also ranked 14th in total IGR collections nationwide and fifth among Northern states, outperforming others like Katsina, Niger, Bauchi, and Borno.
Further analysis revealed that Jigawa generated 31.94% of its total revenue (N195.97 billion) internally, while federal allocations accounted for N133.37 billion.
This performance positioned the state as the 11th most revenue-independent in Nigeria, a significant feat amid calls for states to rely less on federal allocations.
Frederick Apeji, Chairman of Alford Conferences Limited and convener of the Nigerian States IGR Awards, commended Jigawa’s progress, emphasizing the importance of states enhancing their revenue-generating capacities.
He noted that the award aims to encourage healthy competition among states in boosting IGR.
During the award presentation, Dr. Nasir Idris attributed Jigawa’s success to Governor Namadi’s long-standing commitment to revenue reforms.
He recalled that Namadi, a chartered accountant, played a pivotal role in reshaping the state’s revenue system since his appointment as Commissioner of Finance in 2015 under former Governor Badaru Abubakar.
Idris highlighted that Namadi’s leadership fostered a culture of transparency and compliance among revenue-generating agencies. He also credited the governor’s political will in granting autonomy to the JIRS, enabling effective tax administration without undue interference.
In addition to Governor Namadi’s nomination, Dr. Idris was honored with the Excellence in IGR Award 2025 for his contributions as a former Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) official. He acknowledged implementing federal tax strategies in Jigawa, further driving revenue growth.
The Nigerian States IGR Awards, now in its sixth year, seeks to promote peer learning and competition among states. Apeji urged other states to emulate Jigawa’s progress, emphasizing that sustainable development hinges on strong internal revenue generation.
With this recognition, Jigawa State has set a benchmark for fiscal responsibility in Northern Nigeria, demonstrating that strategic planning and political commitment can significantly enhance revenue performance.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to hold later in 2025.
