Headlines
Kano Deploys Digital Tax Reforms to Improve Revenue Mobilisation
Zulaiha Danjuma
Effective tax collection is the lifeblood of any government seeking robust revenue growth. For Kano State, digital innovation has been integrated into its tax landscape through the development of digital public infrastructure (DPI). This DPI aims to improve tax revenue collection, compliance, and citizen engagement through digital solutions for all
KANO FOCUS reports, like many other Nigerian states, Kano has had its fair share of tax collection troubles. A notable reference point is the manual collection of taxes by tax office collectors from those under the informal sector category.
In 2021 to 2023, about 7.8 billion Naira was realized from 60,000 tricyclists paying a daily manual levy of 100 Naira to the then Kano State Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA) Management tax collectors. However, responsible government agencies could not account for these funds.
For Abba sani, a young cosmetics vendor, the manual tax collection system was a constant source of frustration. “I’m young, but I’ve never used any e-platform to pay taxes because I don’t know about it,” he admits, highlighting the difficulties faced by many informal taxpayers.
Hamisu Abba, a chicken seller in Kasuwar Sheka, shares Abba sani’s skepticism. “Even banks make errors with transfers, making you wait days to revert a payment. Why should I take the same risk with a tax payment that belongs to the government?” he asks, his brow furrowed with concern.
The incorporation of technology into the tax collection system, particularly for informal sectors, was taken up when the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) started collecting daily levies from tricyclists using the Point of Sale (POS) machine in mid 2021. Despite the fact that this initiative did not last long for daily tax collection for tricyclists. This marked the beginning of Kano State’s digital tax revolution.
The Kano State Internal Revenue Service has developed two digital platforms, KIRMAS (Kano Integrated Revenue Management and Assurance System) and eeZitax, to facilitate tax payments. The KIRMAS was launched in the second quarter of 2024, while the eeZitax was launched and introduced on 2rd January of this year 2025.
These platforms enable taxpayers to register, generate invoices, and make payments online or through authorized agents.
KIRMAS has been said to be a more comprehensive system that covers various aspects of tax administration, including taxpayer registration, tax assessment, billing, payment, and reporting.
The KIRMAS which is a platform that supports the Central Billing System (CBS) has been able to standardize the billing process across all Ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) with the implementation of the Signal Central Revenue Account (SCRA) in Kano state. However, the platform has been flagged off by the KIRS to have some limitations
“The KIRMAS has a redundant database, this is a problematic issue that makes planning unachievable. The system is no longer for the current tax collection process” Isa Yakubu Yargaya, of the Revenue Accounting Department, said.
Mr. Yakubu explained that the Kano state Internal Revenue Service introduced eeZitax to address KIRMAS limitations.
“That was why eeZitax was introduced, it’s simpler to administer, users can understand it easily and data of taxpayers is secure and reliable” he added
According to Yakubu eeZitax have had commendable compliance level and reception from various corporate and other stakeholders
“The eeZitax platform has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, not only from taxpayers but also from banks and other stakeholders, thanks to the tireless efforts of the KIRS team” he stated
“We got so many compliance, roughly we can say the compliance level for the eeZitax is at 50%, there are huge numbers of tax payer registered on the platform, though I don’t have the explicit figure on hand right now, it’s huge” he said
The eeZitax, tax collection platform has been in active use now for two weeks and few days.
Despite the integration of technology in Kano’s tax payment system, including online payments, bank transfers, and invoice generation, the informal tax base has yet to benefit significantly from these digital advancements. Sadiq Muhammad Mustapha, Programme lead at the Tax Justice and Governance Platform (TJ & GP), identified low literacy levels among those in the informal sector as a major challenge.
Auwal Salisu, a textile seller in Kantin Kwari, echoes this concern. “Multiple tax collections, reliance on cumbersome hand-to-hand payments, and vulnerability to scams by impersonators posing as official tax collectors – these are the challenges we face daily.” Bello Muhammad, who sells at the Friday market in Wudil, adds, “We’re willing to pay taxes, but we need a system that’s transparent, efficient, and easy to use, most of use are not literate to use advanced systems like E-tax payment platform” he said
According to Mr. Sadiq, Oya state despite also having a large informal tax base as kano, have been able to capture peculiar concerns with that session of taxpayers by coming up with a USSD code (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) for tax payments
“Kano State can adopt this process to make it easier for informal taxpayers to deal with the issues of literacy levels and skepticism of digital tax payment platforms” he said.
However, Mr. Yakubu said the KIRS had used the USSD as a tax payment alternative for a time period spanning from 2023 to 2024.
“We used this USSD, the service is trying out a number of alternative methods of tax collection to see what suits best”
“When we rolled out the use of USSD codes we had a compliance level of 20% from the informal sector at the time” he said
To address these challenges, the Kano State Internal Revenue Service is conducting awareness campaigns and sensitization initiatives to educate taxpayers about the benefits and usage of these digital platforms. Mr. Yakubu emphasized the importance of these initiatives in promoting transparency and accountability in tax collection.
“The Kano State Internal Revenue Service is making all these reforms to make the payment process between taxpayers and the Kano state Government easy”
“This digitalization is to foster accountability and adequate revenue generation to help the government provide better public amenities to Kano state” he said.
According to Mr. Yakubu the service is also engaging and working adequately with Non-governmental Organizations to push sensitization and awareness about the benefits of digital tax payments and platforms. “We have massive sensitization outreach next week in some rural communities on this issue,” he said.
As Kano State continues to navigate the digital tax landscape, it’s essential to address the concerns of informal taxpayers. By simplifying the tax payment process, providing reliable e-tax payment options, and harmonizing taxes, the state can unlock robust revenue growth and improved citizen engagement.
The journey ahead will be long and challenging, but the potential rewards are significant. By leveraging digital public infrastructure, Kano State can create a more efficient, transparent, and inclusive tax system, ultimately improving the lives of its citizens.
This story is produced under the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) Fellowship of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and Co-Develop in partnership with Kano Focus Newspaper online.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has sworn in six newly appointed commissioners, three advisers and 19 permanent secretaries as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the ceremony followed the confirmation of the six commissioner nominees by the Kano State House of Assembly on October 26, 2026, after completing the legislative screening process.
The newly sworn-in commissioners are Air Commodore Salisu Yusha’u (retd.), assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security and Special Services; Ibrahim Namadi Dala, Investment; Prof. Sani Lawan Manunfashi, Higher Education; Muktar Ishaq Yakasai, Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; Dr Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa, Science and Technology; and Idris Garba Mustapha, Special Duties.
In a related development, the governor announced a minor cabinet reshuffle involving the redeployment of two commissioners to different ministries.
Under the new arrangement, Dr Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, who previously served as Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, has been moved to the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development.
Similarly, Hamza Kachaco has been redeployed to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle leaves the Ministries of Information and Internal Affairs, as well as Solid Minerals and Mineral Resources, vacant pending further decisions by the state government.
According to a statement issued by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the appointments and redeployments are aimed at strengthening government institutions, improving administrative efficiency and repositioning key ministries for effective service delivery.
The governor urged the new appointees to demonstrate dedication, integrity and commitment to their responsibilities, stressing the need to prioritise public interest and contribute to the development of the state.
He also charged them to work collaboratively in advancing his administration’s development agenda and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.
Gov Yusuf congratulated the appointees and wished them success in their respective assignments.
Ibrahim Khalil
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has redeployed the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, to the Ministry of Youths and Sports as part of a cabinet reshuffle involving eight ministries.
KANO FOCUS reports that under the new arrangement, Waiya moves from the Ministry of Information to the Ministry of Youths and Sports, while Hon. Hamza Safyanu Kachako has been transferred from the Ministry of Mineral Resources to the Ministry of Environment.
The reshuffle also assigns new commissioners to several ministries.
Hon. Yushau Soja has been assigned to the Ministry of Internal Security, while Hon. Idris Garba Mustapha will oversee the Ministry of Special Duties.
Similarly, Hon. Muntari Ishaq Yakasai has been assigned to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Hon. Ibrahim Namadi Dala will head the Ministry of Commerce.
Other appointments include Hon. Ibrahim Tsanyawa as Commissioner for Science and Technology and Prof. Sani Lawal as Commissioner for Higher Education.
The reshuffle affects eight ministries, with the changes involving both new portfolio assignments and the redeployment of serving commissioners.
Headlines
Albasu APC ieaders accuse council chairman, state assembly member of anti-party activities
They accuse council chairman, state lawmaker of supporting opposition senatorial candidate
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Albasu Local Government Area of Kano State have petitioned Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the party’s State Working Committee over alleged anti-party activities involving the council chairman, Garba Aliyu Hungu, and the member representing Albasu Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Musa Tahir Hungu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the petitioners accused the two officials of maintaining political relationships with Kasim Ibrahim Bataiya, the New Democratic Congress (NDC) senatorial candidate for Kano South, and allegedly working against the interests of the APC and its candidate, Senator Kawu Sumaila.
The petition, reportedly signed by more than 300 party officials and stakeholders across the wards and local government area, urged the governor and the party leadership to investigate the allegations and determine whether the conduct of the two officials violated the APC constitution.
According to the petitioners, the relationship between the officials and Bataiya predated their emergence as APC candidates, alleging that the NDC candidate had played a role in securing their previous political tickets.
They claimed that the relationship had continued despite their current political affiliations, raising concerns about their loyalty to the APC.
The petitioners further alleged that some elected councillors, political appointees and local government party officials had participated in activities organised by Bataiya, including attending his campaign rallies and mobilising support for his senatorial ambition.
One of the allegations was that the local government chairman provided the council’s town hall for political meetings and the launch of Bataiya’s senatorial campaign.
The stakeholders also accused the chairman and the lawmaker of frustrating efforts by party elders to investigate the alleged involvement of some APC councillors and executive committee members in the opposition candidate’s campaign activities.
They said a fact-finding committee was constituted under the leadership of Dr Yunusa Adamu Dangwani to examine the allegations but claimed that the two officials prevented it from carrying out its assignment.
The petitioners also alleged that the local government leadership failed to organise meetings with members of the APC legacy group despite what they described as directives from the governor and the party leadership.
They said one meeting was eventually held through the intervention of the member representing Albasu, Gaya and Ajingi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, but subsequent attempts to convene further meetings allegedly failed due to the chairman’s lack of commitment.
On the distribution of government empowerment programmes, the petitioners alleged that benefits intended for APC members and supporters were often diverted to individuals considered loyal to the NDC senatorial candidate.
They expressed concern that genuine APC members in the area were being marginalised and called for greater accountability in the distribution of government interventions.
The petition also cited the mobilisation of party members for the presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna, alleging that while other local governments provided at least 30 buses for the exercise, Albasu provided only 17.
Another issue raised was the continued participation of the serving Amirul Hajj in NDC activities. The petitioners alleged that the individual had retired from public service about two years ago but had yet to be replaced by the local government leadership.
They argued that the alleged activities could undermine party discipline, unity and the APC’s electoral prospects in Albasu and the wider Kano South Senatorial District.
The stakeholders consequently urged Governor Yusuf, whom they described as the party leader in Kano State, and the State Working Committee to examine the allegations under Article 21 of the APC constitution and determine whether the conduct of the two officials amounts to punishable anti-party activities.
However, they called for a fair and impartial process, urging the party leadership to invite the accused officials to respond to the allegations before taking any disciplinary action.
The petitioners maintained that their action was intended to protect the party’s interests, promote accountability and strengthen its unity at the grassroots, rather than malign any individual or prejudge the outcome of an investigation.
The petition was signed by Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, Caucus Chairman; Hon. Wada Ibrahim Daho, Caucus Secretary; former Kano State House of Assembly member, Hon. Sunusi Usman Bataiya; Isyaka Danyaya, Albasu APC Deputy Chairman; and other local government and ward officials.
Efforts to contact Garba Aliyu Hungu and Musa Tahir Hungu for their reactions to the allegations were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
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Albasu APC ieaders accuse council chairman, state assembly member of anti-party activities
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