The Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service (AKIRS) has announced a major initiative to enhance tax administration in the state through the complete digitalization of its tax collection processes. This transformative move is set to commence in the 2025 fiscal year and aims to bolster the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) without imposing additional tax burdens on residents.
Speaking during a media briefing in Uyo, the state capital, the Executive Chairman of AKIRS, Mr. Okon Okon, outlined the agency’s plans for the future. Highlighting the outcomes of a two-day strategic session for the upcoming fiscal year, he revealed that the state will implement electronic assessment, e-tax clearance, e-filing of tax returns, and the automation of registration and reporting processes.
“We are pleased to inform the public that we will accelerate our digitalization programme next year,” Okon stated. “This expansion will include automating our processes and deepening data-driven initiatives to improve operational efficiency and increase the state’s IGR without raising tax rates.”
The move aims to shift the agency’s semi-manual processes to a fully automated system, achieving an end-to-end digitalization of all tax-related activities. This modernization is expected to enhance taxpayers’ experience, minimize human interference, and improve overall efficiency in revenue collection.
Mr. Okon emphasized that the AKIRS is committed to ensuring that its initiatives do not stifle business growth or place undue burdens on individual taxpayers. Instead, the agency plans to focus on increasing tax awareness, expanding the tax net, and leveraging technology to capture tax evaders.
“Our approach will be technology-driven and complemented by an intensified tax sensitization campaign to educate citizens about their civic responsibility to pay taxes. This will deepen voluntary compliance across the state,” he added.
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The Chairman highlighted Akwa Ibom’s remarkable performance in revenue generation over the years. According to figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Joint Tax Board (JTB), the state’s IGR grew from ₦34.75 billion in 2022 to ₦43.18 billion in 2023, placing Akwa Ibom among the top 10 performing states in Nigeria.
In 2023, Akwa Ibom ranked 4th among the nine Niger Delta states in IGR performance and achieved a 170% increase in revenue over six years, rising from ₦15.96 billion in 2017 to ₦43.18 billion in 2023.
Mr. Okon attributed this growth to the following factors: Governance reforms implemented by the state government, Improvements in corporate governance and operational processes within AKIRS and the business-enabling environment fostered by Governor Umo Eno’s administration.
With the full-scale implementation of digital tax processes, Akwa Ibom is positioning itself as a model for effective revenue administration in Nigeria. By embracing technology and focusing on transparency, efficiency, and taxpayer education, the state aims to maintain its upward trajectory in IGR while fostering economic growth.
This initiative not only reflects the state’s commitment to innovation but also its dedication to ensuring that governance reforms translate into tangible benefits for residents and businesses alike.