Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has dismissed suggestions of excessive taxation in the state, describing them as a “pathetic misconception” spread by opponents and illegal revenue collectors.
He said his administration has expanded the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by blocking leakages, introducing e-ticketing, and monetising dormant assets.
Speaking in an interview aired on Afia Television, Mbah clarified that states cannot increase or reduce taxes under the 1999 Constitution.
“As a state, we are not able to legislate on taxation. It is in the exclusive legislative list, which can only be legislated on by the National Assembly,” he explained.
Mbah noted that Enugu’s IGR rose from ₦26.8 billion in 2022 to ₦37.4 billion in 2023, ₦180.5 billion in 2024, and ₦406.7 billion in 2025.
He said tax revenue accounted for only ₦51.5 billion, or 12.6%, while non-tax revenue contributed ₦355.2 billion, or 87.4%.
He added that for rates and levies under state control, his administration reduced charges by up to 70%.
A committee involving market leaders, labour unions, and the Chamber of Commerce compared fees across the South East and confirmed Enugu had the lowest rates.
Tackling Illegal Revenue Collectors
The governor acknowledged that illegal collectors remain a challenge. He said the recently passed Enugu State Harmonised Taxes and Levies Law, 2026, will eliminate roadblocks and unauthorised collections.
“Under our laws, we have consolidated all these services and you only just have one payment that you make and you are done with all the services that the government provides,” he said.
Mbah vowed to arrest and prosecute extortionists, noting that a standing task force has been set up to track offenders. He encouraged citizens to report illegal collections through toll-free lines.
“Some people still go about extorting money from helpless citizens because this is a practice that has gone on over the years. But we have constituted a standing task force to track and bring them to book,” he added.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, insisting that the state’s revenue growth is driven by innovation and asset optimisation, not higher taxes.
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