Kogi State is taking decisive action to sanitise its revenue collection mechanisms, with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) announcing a comprehensive ban on all roadside revenue collection and haulage fees on state highways. This move, effective immediately, aligns with the commencement of Nigeria’s new national tax law on January 1, 2026.
Dr. Salihu Enehe, Executive Chairman of KGIRS, disclosed the directive in Lokoja, underscoring the significant implications of the national tax reform for the state’s economic landscape. He emphasised that the new tax regime explicitly prohibits unauthorised revenue collection activities conducted under the guise of taxation on highways.
Enehe issued a stern warning, stating that any individual or group found engaging in such illicit practices will be classified as enemies of both Kogi State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Offenders will face prosecution as criminals and economic saboteurs, he affirmed, with stringent legal consequences upon arrest.
The reform, as detailed by the KGIRS chairman, also marks the abolition of the sale of revenue emblems and the collection of haulage fees directly on highways. Legitimate haulage charges are now strictly confined to designated loading and off-loading points, a measure designed to conform with the provisions of the new national tax law and to embrace global best practices in revenue administration.
These stringent measures are strategically implemented to enhance the transparency and efficiency of revenue administration, eradicate the burden of multiple taxation on businesses, and cultivate a more conducive business environment essential for fostering economic growth.
Transport operators, business owners, and the general public are urged by KGIRS to adhere to these new directives. The service also encourages the reporting of any instances of illegal tax collection to the relevant authorities. KGIRS, in collaboration with security agencies, will be intensifying monitoring and enforcement operations across the state to ensure strict compliance. The government reiterates its commitment to establishing a transparent, efficient, and lawful tax system that safeguards law-abiding citizens and underpins economic stability.
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