Jigawa State’s tax authority has urged residents and businesses to abandon cash-based tax payments, citing risks of inefficiency and corruption, as the region accelerates its shift to digital revenue systems. The advisory follows a significant surge in the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR), driven by sweeping reforms to modernize tax collection.
Speaking after receiving an award for fiscal performance, Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, Executive Chairman of the Jigawa State Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), emphasized that manual payments could expose transactions to mismanagement. He credited a newly launched digital tax platform, introduced earlier this year, with reducing financial leaks and boosting transparency. “This system ensures every payment is tracked, secure, and properly documented,” he said, addressing journalists at the state secretariat in Dutse, the capital.
Data shared by Idris revealed a 55% year-on-year rise in IGR within the first half of 2024, attributing the growth to technological upgrades and stricter oversight. Over a full fiscal cycle, revenue soared by 127.31%, climbing from ₦27.54 billion ($18.4 million) in 2023 to ₦62.60 billion ($41.8 million) in 2024. This performance propelled Jigawa to the top spot for IGR growth among Nigeria’s 19 northern states and the federal capital territory. Nationally, it now ranks 14th in total revenue generation and 11th in fiscal autonomy.
The upturn has drawn attention to Governor Umar Namadi, recently shortlisted for the 2025 Governor of the Year in IGR Award by Revenue Magazine. Analysts suggest the nomination reflects broader efforts to reduce reliance on federal allocations, a challenge for many Nigerian states grappling with economic volatility.
While Idris did not specify penalties for noncompliance with digital payments, he stressed that approved online platforms remain the “only recommended method” for taxpayers. The shift aligns with trends across West Africa, where governments are increasingly adopting fintech solutions to curb graft and improve accountability. In Jigawa, authorities say digitization has also simplified processes for small businesses and individuals previously deterred by bureaucratic hurdles.
The reforms arrive amid Nigeria’s push to widen its tax base, with subnational entities under pressure to optimize revenue streams. For Jigawa, a largely agricultural state, the revenue surge could signal improved capacity to fund infrastructure and public services. However, experts caution that sustaining growth hinges on consistent enforcement and public trust in the new system—a point underscored by Idris’s repeated calls for taxpayer cooperation.
