Christian Aid Lauds Tax Justice for Improving Standard of Taxation in Kano
By Mustapha Salisu
The Country Director of Christian Aid Nigeria, Temitope Fashola, has commended the Tax Justice and Governance Platform for its collaboration with the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) in improving taxation standards, citizen sensitization, and revenue generation in the state.
Fashola made the commendation during a working visit held on Wednesday at the Conference Room of the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS).
The visit, he explained, was aimed at assessing the progress of ongoing partnerships between Christian Aid, the Tax Justice and Governance Platform, and KIRS under the organization’s Tax Justice and Governance Project.
“I’m really delighted to hear about the collaborative work we’ve done to improve the sensitization of citizens and the progress the agency has made in raising revenue targets while ensuring taxpayers are aware of their responsibilities,” he said.
Fashola praised the establishment of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) at KIRS, describing it as a significant step toward building trust between the tax authority and citizens. “The grievance mechanism has improved the possibility of addressing issues that taxpayers raise, ensuring such concerns are amicably resolved within the confines of the Service,” she added.
Speaking earlier, the Program Lead of the Tax Justice and Governance Platform, Kano, Sadiq Muhammad Mustapha, described the visit as part of Christian Aid’s routine engagement to review activities and discuss new areas of collaboration amid emerging tax reforms.
He explained that Christian Aid has supported the platform’s activities not only in Kano but also in Kaduna, Jigawa, Zamfara, and Gombe states since 2023. He highlighted the group’s role in strengthening institutional capacity, creating awareness of taxpayers’ rights and obligations, and promoting transparency in tax administration.
“We’ve worked with KIRS to establish the grievance redress mechanism, the first of its kind in the state, which has inspired other states like Kaduna, Jigawa, and Gombe to replicate similar units due to its effectiveness,” Mustapha said.
He also mentioned the piloting of a taxpayer service charter in three local government areas like Bichi, Rano, and Wudil where agreements were reached to reinvest part of collected taxes into community development projects. “For instance, the Bichi Local Government has constructed 48 open shops, roads, and drainages from tax revenues as part of that agreement,” he revealed.
Representing the Executive Chairman of KIRS, Dr. Zaid Abubakar, his Special Assistant, Nafiu Shehu Rikadawa, appreciated Christian Aid and the Tax Justice Platform for their continued support.
He emphasized the Service’s renewed commitment to public sensitization through radio programs, road shows, and market outreach campaigns to boost voluntary tax compliance.
Malam Muhammad Abba Aliyu, the Executive Director of Compliance and Enforcement at KIRS, welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enhancing tax administration and service delivery in the state.
Also speaking, the Deputy State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Kano, Grace Musa, commended the impact of the partnership, noting that improved revenue collection has contributed to visible progress and development across the state.
She said the NOA is already using this evidence to sensitize citizens at the grassroots ahead of the new tax reforms expected to commence in January 2026.
A journalist with Prime Time News, Mustapha Salisu, who attended the session as a beneficiary of the Tax Justice and Governance project, shared his experience on how the project has enhanced his professional capacity.
“Through this platform, I’ve learned about budget tracking, policy brief writing, and advocacy. I even developed an investigative report that influenced government action,” he said.
