In a landmark move to sanitize public finance and plug revenue leakages, Governor Dauda Lawal has ordered the immediate and total abolition of cash collections for all government revenues across Zamfara State. The directive marks a significant shift toward a fully digitized financial architecture, aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in the state’s fiscal operations.
The Governor announced the ban during a high-level town hall meeting convened in Gusau by the Zamfara State Internal Revenue Service (ZSIRS). The gathering was primarily organized to sensitize key stakeholders on the implications and opportunities presented by the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts 2025, which seek to modernize tax administration and delineate fiscal responsibilities among the federal, state, and local governments.
Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal underscored that revenue generation is a collective obligation shared by all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He issued a stern warning against the persistence of revenue leakages, duplication of charges, and the illegal practice of collecting funds outside officially approved channels.
“The era of cash transactions for government revenue is over in Zamfara State,” the Governor asserted. “We are building a system where every kobo due to the state is accounted for digitally, leaving no room for manipulation or misappropriation.”
The Governor’s executive order is backed by the recently re-enacted Zamfara State Consolidated Revenue Law, which provides a fortified legal framework for revenue administration. The new law consolidates the authority of the state revenue service, harmonizing the collection of both tax and non-tax revenues under a single, unified, and digital-first system.
In line with these aggressive reforms, the Zamfara State Government has set a bold Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2025 fiscal year, aiming to generate between ₦38 billion and ₦42 billion. Officials stated that the target is achievable through the ongoing reforms, which are focused on expanding the tax net, improving collection efficiency, and embedding robust accountability mechanisms across all revenue-generating entities.
The town hall meeting served as a platform to engage with stakeholders on how to navigate the new tax laws and leverage technology to boost state revenue without overburdening citizens. The event concluded on a high note with the presentation of awards of excellence to various MDAs and individuals who demonstrated outstanding performance and diligence in revenue remittance, setting a precedent for others to follow under the new dispensation.
