The Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) has announced a major plan to raise ₦200 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The strategy relies on ongoing tax reforms that link every taxpayer to their National Identification Number (NIN).
Dr. Zaid Abubakar, Executive Chairman of KIRS, shared the plan during a stakeholder ceremony. The event honoured individuals and organizations helping the agency perform well despite economic and structural challenges.
Dr. Abubakar said the state’s tax system has improved since 2024. Areas like tax compliance, revenue growth, and service delivery have shown strong progress.
He said this was possible due to reforms and strong partnerships. A key part of the reform is the new digital tax system that makes NIN registration compulsory for taxpayers.
“We have been deliberate in ensuring our tax system incorporates the NIN to eliminate identification issues,” he said. “With a reliable database, we can drive transparency and accountability in tax administration.”
So far, 10.2 million Kano residents have registered for NIN. The goal is to register two million active taxpayers, each paying at least ₦100,000 per year. If this target is achieved, the state will generate ₦200 billion annually.
Kano Hints at Bigger Tax Ambitions in the Future
Dr. Abubakar hinted at bigger goals. He noted that Kano’s large population gives it an edge over other states.
“Imagine having six million active taxpayers each contributing ₦100,000 annually, that’s ₦600 billion, a game changer for our state,” he said.
He added that although Kano currently ranks behind Lagos State in tax revenue, the state is catching up. With ongoing reforms and population strength, Kano could soon compete with Lagos in IGR performance.
The KIRS chairman also thanked Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf for supporting the revenue reforms. He praised the government for providing a good environment to make the plans work.
Kano Ranks Second in National NIN Registration
Data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) shows Kano is second in NIN enrolment. The state has 10.2 million people registered as of February 2025.
Lagos remains the top state with 12.6 million residents enrolled in the NIN database. Both states are Nigeria’s most populated and have led the registration drive since it started.
The use of NIN in tax registration is expected to continue rising, helping authorities track payments and reduce fraud.
With this new system, Kano hopes to become a major force in tax generation, not just in northern Nigeria, but nationwide.
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