Ekiti targets N3bn monthly IGR as revenue rises to N2.75bn
By Boye Oyeyemi
The Ekiti State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to a transparent and sustainable tax administration system as its Internally Generated Revenue rose to N2.75 billion in June 2026, with a target of surpassing N3 billion monthly before the end of the year.
The Chairman of the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, Olaniran Olatona, disclosed this in Ado Ekiti, saying the state’s revenue growth was being driven by voluntary tax compliance rather than enforcement measures.
He said the state recorded a 33.2 per cent increase in IGR compared to the N2.06 billion generated in June 2025, adding that monthly collections had remained stable at about N2.74 billion since April 2026 despite the suspension of roadblocks and the sealing of business premises since July 2025.
Olatona attributed the improved performance to the automation and digitalisation of tax collection, expansion of payment channels, a broader Pay-As-You-Earn base, stronger withholding tax compliance and reduced revenue leakages.
He said the agency remained committed to a fair and taxpayer-friendly system that encourages business growth, stressing that the objective was to widen the tax net by bringing more eligible taxpayers into the system rather than increasing tax rates or introducing new taxes.
“We are more interested in helping businesses grow because thriving businesses ultimately translate into sustainable revenue for government,” Olatona said, expressing confidence that the agency would exceed its N3 billion monthly revenue target through improved compliance.
The EKIRS chairman also said the service was working with ministries, departments and agencies as well as local government councils to introduce a central billing system aimed at eliminating multiple taxation and simplifying tax payments across the state.
Commenting on recent protests over alleged tax increases, Olatona clarified that the notices issued to taxpayers were merely assessments for the 2024 and 2025 tax years and not enforcement actions, assuring residents that the agency would continue to review genuine complaints while intensifying taxpayer education across the state.
