Governor Dauda Lawal has ordered the immediate abolition of cash-based revenue collection in Zamfara State, directing all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to adopt digital payment channels as part of efforts to block leakages and improve transparency in public revenue management. The directive was issued at a town hall sensitisation on the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts 2025 held in Gusau and organised by the Zamfara State Internal Revenue Service, according to a government statement and multiple local reports.
The state government said the new policy is designed to strengthen digital systems, harmonise revenue databases across MDAs, enable real-time monitoring and improve inter-agency verification. Officials said the changes are intended to reduce informal collections, eliminate duplication and ensure that money due to government is promptly remitted through approved channels.
In remarks at the event, Lawal said the new tax regime creates both an opportunity and an obligation for the state to build a more efficient revenue system. He said all revenue-generating agencies must review their laws, collection tools and procedures to align with the new legal and administrative framework, warning that leakages and unapproved collections would no longer be tolerated.
The governor also linked the reform to Zamfara’s broader fiscal plans, saying the state’s internally generated revenue performance in 2025 showed progress but still highlighted weaknesses in collection systems. He said the state is targeting between ₦38 billion and ₦42 billion in IGR under its current reform agenda and expanded compliance framework.
According to the government, the town hall was themed, “Diversifying revenue streams under a new tax regime: Exploring non-tax revenue opportunities in Zamfara State,” and brought together stakeholders from across the state to discuss implementation of the new framework. The administration said the meeting was aimed at fostering clearer dialogue and coordinated action ahead of full rollout.
The announcement marks Zamfara’s latest push to modernise revenue administration at a time when many state governments are under pressure to boost internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on federal allocations. At the close of the event, key ministries, MDAs and individuals were recognised for revenue remittance performance, underscoring the government’s effort to tie compliance to accountability.
