Kwara fifth least dependent state – KW-IRS

The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service, KW-IRS, Shade Omoniyi, has said that the Kwara State government achieved significant year-on-year growth in internally generated revenue between 2023 and 2024, making it the fifth least dependent state on federally distributed revenue.

She made the disclosure at the grand finale of the 2025 KW-IRS Tax Club Quiz Competition, held at the Ilorin Innovation Hub in the state capital.

The state IRS chairman asserted that the agency is committed to building a fair, transparent, and efficient tax system that fosters public trust and compliance.

Omoniyi cited the BudgIT 2025 State of States Report, which ranked Kwara third nationwide in sub-national fiscal performance, up from 10th in 2021 and fourth in 2023.

“Kwara also achieved a 36 percent year-on-year growth in internally generated revenue between 2023 and 2024 and is now the fifth least dependent state on federally distributed revenue,” she added.

According to Omoniyi, the state government has approved the constitution of a stakeholders’ committee to review and harmonise all taxes, levies, rates, and charges collected as revenue in the state.

She said the state is also set to align with the newly enacted national tax framework and the proposed Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Bill 2025.

The move, the agency chairman explained, is aimed at strengthening the legal and operational framework of the state’s tax system, ensuring fairness, and fostering citizens’ confidence in tax administration.

In the competition, Shepherd School, Lafiagi, emerged as the overall winner with 20 points, while Government Secondary School, Lafiagi, and St Anthony’s Secondary School, Ilorin, finished second and third, respectively.

Cash prizes of N2.5 million, N1.5 million, and N1 million were awarded to the top three schools, with consolation prizes given to other participants.