The Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service has announced plans to fully digitize its tax collection processes starting from the 2025 fiscal year. The Executive Chairman, Mr. Okon Okon, revealed this during a briefing in Uyo, the state capital. The aim is to enhance revenue generation by implementing electronic assessment, e-tax clearance, e-filing of tax returns, and automating registration and reporting processes.
The digitalization initiative aims to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and increase the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) without raising tax rates. The focus will be on transitioning from semi-manual systems to complete automation across all tax processes. The goal is to eliminate human intervention in the process and ensure a smooth and efficient tax collection system.
Mr. Okon emphasized that the revenue service is committed to not implementing any measures that would hinder business growth or impose unnecessary burdens on taxpayers. Additionally, the service plans to intensify tax sensitization campaigns to educate the public on the importance of tax compliance as a civic duty.
The state has shown significant growth in its revenue profile, with IGR increasing from N34.75bn in 2022 to N43.18bn in 2023. Akwa Ibom State ranked among the top 10 states in IGR performance in 2023, securing the fourth position among the nine states in the Niger Delta region. The remarkable growth in IGR is attributed to governance reforms, improved corporate governance, operational enhancements by the revenue service, and the business-friendly environment fostered by the Governor Umo Eno administration.