The Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms has praised the Kogi State Government for domesticating the Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, describing the move as a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing tax reform process.
The commendation was contained in a Facebook post by the committee’s chairman, Taiwo Oyedele, while referencing a report by the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) following the recent passage of the Harmonised Taxes and Levies Law by Bayelsa State. The JRB described the development as a major milestone in the modernisation of tax administration across the country.
According to the Joint Revenue Board’s report, Kogi State was listed among the early adopters of the harmonised tax framework in Nigeria, alongside Anambra, Ekiti, Gombe, Nasarawa, Plateau and Zamfara. The listing reinforces Kogi’s leadership role in the implementation of tax reforms nationwide.
The Board explained that harmonised tax laws are designed to eliminate multiple taxation by streamlining numerous pre-existing taxes into a clear and approved list, while also outlawing illegal roadblocks and arbitrary tax collections across Nigeria.
The Joint Revenue Board further noted that the framework promotes transparency through reduced cash handling, increased use of technology and stronger safeguards against revenue leakages.
It also acknowledged the collaborative efforts of state governments and their internal revenue services, including Kogi State, in driving reforms aligned with the national tax reform initiative championed by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to the Board, “This law aligns the state’s tax administration with national standards, enhancing taxpayer confidence, improving compliance, and creating a more investor-friendly business environment.”
Reacting to the development, the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Hon. Ismaila Isah, confirmed that the new tax laws would strengthen the state’s revenue mobilisation efforts while reducing challenges associated with multiple taxation and illegal levies.
Hon. Isah added that collaboration between the Joint Revenue Board and the state’s Internal Revenue Service, in adherence to the harmonised tax framework, underlines Kogi’s commitment to a transparent and efficient tax governance system that supports economic growth.
Recall that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo recently signed into law the Kogi State Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Law, 2025, thereby aligning the state with the national harmonised tax framework championed by the Presidential Tax Committee and the Joint Revenue Board.
