Kwara State Launches Stakeholders Committee to Streamline Taxation
The Kwara State Government has taken a significant step towards improving its tax administration by approving the formation of a Stakeholders Committee. This committee will be responsible for reviewing and harmonizing all taxes, levies, rates, and charges collected as revenue within the state. The initiative aims to create a more efficient and equitable tax system that supports both government operations and citizen well-being.
During the grand finale of the 2025 KW-IRS Tax Club Quiz Competition in Ilorin, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi, announced that the state is also preparing to align its tax laws with the newly enacted national tax framework and the proposed Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Bill 2025.
Omoniyi emphasized that this move is intended to strengthen the legal and operational framework of the state’s tax system. By ensuring fairness and transparency, the initiative seeks to foster greater confidence among citizens in how their taxes are managed and utilized.
She further stated that the KW-IRS is committed to building a fair, transparent, and efficient tax system. This effort, she said, will promote compliance and public trust, which are essential for a healthy fiscal environment.
Omoniyi expressed her appreciation for Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s consistent investment in education and fiscal reforms. She described the governor’s leadership as visionary and results-driven, highlighting his role in driving progress in the state’s fiscal performance.
Progress in Fiscal Performance
Under the current administration, Kwara State has made remarkable strides in fiscal performance. According to the BudgIT 2025 State of States Report, the state ranked third nationwide in subnational fiscal performance, moving up from 10th in 2021 and 4th in 2023. This improvement reflects the impact of effective governance and prudent financial management.
Omoniyi noted that the state achieved a 36 per cent year-on-year growth in internally generated revenue between 2023 and 2024. As a result, Kwara is now the fifth least dependent state on federally distributed revenue, showcasing its growing self-sufficiency.
“These feats are clear reflections of His Excellency’s visionary leadership and prudent management style, which continue to inspire our collective drive for growth and accountability in public service,” she said.
Promoting Tax Education and Civic Responsibility
The KW-IRS boss also praised the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development for its partnership in promoting tax education and civic responsibility among students. She described the initiative as vital to nurturing a tax-conscious generation capable of contributing meaningfully to national development.
Omoniyi urged students to remain focused and diligent, emphasizing that the initiative is part of broader efforts to build a disciplined and tax-conscious generation ready to support national growth.
Head Corporate Affairs and Convener of the Tax Club Committee, Mrs Funmilola Oguntunbi, explained that the quiz competition is part of the agency’s broader effort to promote financial literacy and awareness about taxation among young people.
She described the competition as one of the agency’s proudest initiatives for building civic awareness among youths. “The competition is not just about winning but about understanding how taxes fund national development. Through this, we are raising informed citizens who can meaningfully contribute to governance,” she said.
Innovations in the 2025 Edition
The 2025 edition of the competition introduced computer-based testing, which significantly improved participation across schools. The event saw 99 participating schools drawn from across the state, with six schools advancing to the grand finale after rigorous preliminary and semi-final stages.
Shepherd School, Lafiagi, emerged as the overall winner with 20 points, followed by Government Secondary School, Lafiagi, and St. Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, which came second and third respectively. Prizes of ₦2.5 million, ₦1.5 million, and ₦1 million were awarded to the first, second, and third positions, with consolation prizes for other participants.
Representing the Commissioner for Education, Mr Adeshina Salami, lauded the initiative and urged students to imbibe the culture of tax compliance and responsible citizenship. Traditional rulers and education stakeholders were present at the event, underscoring the importance of the initiative in shaping future generations.
The competition was organized under the agency’s 5-Es Community Impact Programmes: Enterprise, Energy, Education, Empowerment, and Environment.