The Zamfara State Government has abolished the cash-based revenue collection system as part of efforts to curb sharp practices and improve transparency in the state’s revenue administration.

Governor Dauda Lawal approved the move to strengthen digital revenue systems, harmonise databases, and enable real-time monitoring of government revenue.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, and made available to journalists in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.

According to the statement, the decision was announced during a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the Zamfara Internal Revenue Service to sensitise residents on the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts, 2025.

The meeting, which was attended by relevant stakeholders across the state, aimed to promote dialogue and coordinated action as Zamfara prepares to implement the new tax framework.

Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal said the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts, 2025 had restructured tax administration nationwide by clarifying responsibilities, standardising procedures, and promoting coordination among the three tiers of government.

“In Zamfara State, the signing of the repealed and re-enacted Consolidated Revenue Law has strengthened the Internal Revenue Service by granting it powers for the assessment, collection and accounting of state revenues,” the governor said.

He added that the law harmonises tax and non-tax revenues while establishing a legal framework for effective tax administration in the state.

“These reforms present both opportunity and responsibility. The opportunity is to develop a modern and efficient revenue system that supports growth, protects taxpayers and boosts investor confidence,” Lawal said.

The governor stressed that all government institutions must fully align with the new legal and administrative framework.

“Revenue generation is a whole-of-government responsibility, not the duty of a single agency,” he said.

Lawal further directed all ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) that collect fees, charges, licences, permits or other service-related revenues to ensure transparency, accuracy and prompt remittance through approved channels.

According to him, leakages, duplications and informal collections undermine public confidence and will no longer be tolerated.

“Our administration is committed to closing all loopholes and ensuring that revenues generated serve their intended developmental purposes,” he said.

The governor also directed all revenue-generating MDAs to review their enabling laws, collection tools and operational procedures to ensure compliance with the new framework.

“Overlaps should be removed and ambiguities clarified. This will promote stability, improve compliance and strengthen a culture of accountability,” he said.

Lawal noted that beyond institutional reforms, the state must strengthen its fiscal resilience.

He added that while Zamfara’s 2025 Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) figures showed some progress in revenue mobilisation, more improvements were needed.

“Our IGR target of between ₦38 billion and ₦42 billion is based on our reform agenda and the expansion of the compliance framework,” the governor said.