By Patrick Ochoga
Executive Chairman of Edo Internal Revenue Board (EIRS), Otunba Oladele Bankole-Balogun, said the board has adopted measures to ensure that more people were captured under the tax net in a bid to deliver value added service and boost the state revenue profile.
Bankole-Balogun also disclosed that Edo State Government generated N52.6billion between January and June 2025 as Internally Generated Revenue.
He said the amount was 46% increase to what was generated within the same period in 2024 at N36.1billion.
The Executive Chairman, who stated this at a press briefing in Benin City, said the figure represented 89.5% performance year-to-date.
Bankole-Balogun assured that the EIRS would continue to widen the tax net in the state even as he urged people to pay their taxes as a civic duty.
He said the Board focused on capacity enhancement of staff, regular stakeholders鈥 engagement, infrastructure upgrade, improved staff welfare and strengthened compliance with tax laws since he assumed office December last year.
The EIRS boss stated that the collaboration of the Board with the judiciary has led to the recovery of tax liabilities owed the state government.
Speaking on the Nigeria Tax Reform Law recently signed by President Bola Tinubu, Bankole-Balogun said the EIRS would intensify its public enlightenment efforts to ensure taxpayers were fully aware of the changes and how they affect them.
According to him, 鈥淪eeing what the Governor is doing with the taxes, I am sure we will increase tax collection from the people.
鈥淥ur commitment is sacrosanct. To build a sustainable Edo State. The road ahead may be tough. We invite all stakeholders to join us in building tax compliance and see taxation not as a burden but a patriotic duty. Truly, a new Edo has risen under Okpebholo.
鈥淲e are committed to delivering value-added services, improving transparency, and strengthening the tax system to build a sustainable Edo State, one where tax revenue powers development, and development rewards taxpayers.鈥
He emphasised on the mandate of the Board as dynamic, noting that it is not possible to bring everybody within the tax net. 鈥淚t is a progressive thing. We pulled in 1,900 people into the tax net within the period.
鈥淲e will be focusing more on the big income earners who will now contribute according to the new law. The focus is not to on the low income earners. With a bit more creativity and technology, we will continue to improve our tax collection,鈥 Bankole-Balogun said.