The Niger State Internal Revenue Service (NGSIRS) has dismissed recent media reports alleging irregularities in its operations, describing the claims as misleading and unverified.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the agency said no journalist or media organisation contacted it for clarification before publishing the report, stressing that it remains accessible through its official communication channels.

“At no time was NGSIRS contacted by any media unit, reporter, or group to verify the information published. To suggest otherwise is malicious and grossly misleading,” the statement said.

The Service rejected suggestions that it was unreachable, insisting that it operates an open-door policy and is committed to engaging with the media and the public.

While acknowledging the existence of revenue leakages, the agency noted that the challenge is not peculiar to Niger State, but a global issue confronting tax authorities.

“Revenue leakages are not unique to NGSIRS. They remain the principal challenge faced by revenue authorities globally. Our teams work daily to identify and block these leakages, often without publicity, as our focus is on results, not headlines,” it stated.

The agency highlighted what it described as significant progress in revenue generation, attributing the improvement to ongoing reforms, strengthened enforcement, and the deployment of technology-driven systems.

It said the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) has grown from an average of N600 million monthly in 2021 to about N5 billion monthly as of December 2025.

According to the Service, the increase reflects deliberate efforts to expand the tax base, improve compliance, and plug leakages within the system—an approach consistent with broader tax reform trends across Nigeria, where authorities have increasingly leveraged digital tools and policy changes to boost revenue performance.

Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and accountability, NGSIRS called on media practitioners to uphold professional standards by ensuring proper verification and balanced reporting.

“Our doors are open to legitimate inquiries, oversight, and constructive engagement from the media and the public. We urge journalists to uphold the ethics of verification and balance before publication,” the statement added.

The agency maintained that it would remain focused on strengthening revenue generation and supporting the development of Niger State, despite what it described as distractions from unverified reports.

The statement was signed by Usman Umar, Special Adviser on Special Duties to the Executive Chairman of NGSIRS.