The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Dr. Salihu Sule Enehe, has disclosed that kogi state tax policy was structured to tax prosperity rather than poverty.
This is as he said the agency is working towards a future where the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) will be sufficient to fund its entire overhead expenditure, leaving federal allocations available for capital projects.
Enehe disclosed this while fielding questions from journalists on the sidelines of the grand finale of the 2026 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Week held on Wednesday in Lokoja.
The KGIRS chairman, who received an award for exemplary leadership in tax administration and reforms, expressed appreciation to the NUJ for the recognition, describing journalists as critical partners in promoting accountability and communicating government reforms to the public.
He disclosed that he had previously declined award invitations, explaining that he believed recognition should come after individuals had completed their assignments and their contributions had been independently acknowledged.
According to him, his decision to accept the NUJ award was influenced by the important role journalists play in holding public institutions accountable and informing citizens about government activities.
“Journalists are the auditors of the public. You are not just the watchdogs of government; you audit the entire public service on behalf of Nigerians. That is why accountability is key,” he said.
Enehe acknowledged the role of the media in communicating the reforms and achievements of KGIRS, noting that journalists had helped make tax administration and revenue transformation more understandable to the people.
On the agency’s future direction, he described revenue transformation as an ongoing journey, insisting that Kogi State had yet to reach half of its desired destination.
He said the ultimate objective was to build a revenue system capable of funding the state’s recurrent expenditure without depending on federal allocations for routine government operations.
“We are working towards a situation where internally generated revenue can fund the entire overhead of the state, so that whatever comes from Abuja can be devoted to capital projects. That is when I will feel fulfilled,” he said.
The KGIRS boss expressed optimism that Kogi could achieve the feat, citing Lagos State as an example of what effective internal revenue mobilisation could accomplish.
He, however, stressed that sustainable revenue growth would depend on the state’s ability to transform its economic potentials into productive opportunities, expand businesses and create more jobs.
Enehe maintained that effective governance was a collective responsibility, urging stakeholders, including journalists and other professionals, to contribute towards building a better state.
Addressing concerns about taxation, particularly among low-income earners and small business operators, “he clarified that the government’s tax policy was designed to tax prosperity rather than poverty.
” individuals earning below the legally prescribed income threshold, including minimum-wage earners, were exempt from personal income tax”
According to him, confusion often arises because some people mistake statutory business levies, such as business premises charges, for income tax.
“Income tax is on income. If you don’t have income that reaches the taxable threshold, you are not taxed. That is why we say we are taxing prosperity,” he explained.
He added that KGIRS was interested in seeing businesses grow and expand because increased business activities and higher earnings would ultimately translate into improved revenue for the state.
“We pray for businesses to expand. When you expand, you make more money, and you give us more money,” Enehe said.
He assured residents that the agency would continue pursuing reforms aimed at improving revenue generation while supporting economic growth and creating a more sustainable financial future for Kogi State.
