TinT-Follow Taxes, Partners Train Kano Stakeholders on Data-Driven Service Delivery
By Mustapha Salisu, Kano
TinT-Follow Taxes, in partnership with the Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) and with support from the International Budget Partnership (IBP), has concluded a two-day capacity-building workshop for stakeholders on the use of gender-disaggregated data and customer care in the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) service in Kano State.
The training, held between Wednesday and Thursday, at Outside Hub in Kano, focused on strengthening data collection, management, and gender-disaggregated analysis to promote data-driven decision-making for improved and targeted redress service delivery.
Participants were introduced to practical tools and dashboards aimed at improving the accuracy and efficiency of GRM operations.
Speaking at the event, Haliru Ahmed Khalifa, Lead and Executive Director of Transparency and Accountability in Totality (TinT-Follow Taxes), said the programme was designed to help Kano State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) staff use data more effectively, particularly within the GRM framework.
“We are building the capacity of IRS staff on how to better use data generated from the grievance redress mechanism, especially gender-disaggregated data and inclusions, as well as customer care relations,”
“Collecting data is not enough it must inform policy formulation, laws, and frameworks. A functional GRM unit builds trust with taxpayers, which is key to shifting from enforcement to voluntary compliance” Khalifa explained.
He emphasised that when taxpayers trust the grievance redress process as transparent and accountable, it promotes voluntary compliance, leading to higher revenue generation.
“This project is ultimately aimed at boosting domestic resource mobilisation for Kano State Internal Revenue Service,” he added.
On his part, Abdulhamid Sabo Maina, Director of ICT at KIRS, described data privacy, collection, and analysis as the backbone of any tax agency.
He noted that the knowledge gained from the workshop would be cascaded to other staff and applied in taxpayer interactions.
“Managing taxpayer relationships is vital. When taxpayers are confident their money is being used for infrastructure and social development, it strengthens compliance,” Maina said.
Maina also highlighted a historic revenue milestone, revealing that in June 2025, Kano generated over N8.8 billion, almost triple the monthly figures from previous years.
“This is the first time in history we have achieved such figures. Our target is to hit N10 billion or more by December,” he stated.
