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The Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), Jerry Adams, has praised Governor Uba Sani’s administration for adopting what he described as a humane and inclusive approach to governance, saying the governor’s leadership has strengthened public confidence, improved tax compliance and reduced the need for punitive enforcement measures.
Adams made the remarks while receiving the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, at the KADIRS headquarters in Kaduna. He also commended journalists for promoting tax awareness and responsible reporting.
According to him, Governor Sani’s people-centred policies have played a significant role in boosting the state’s internally generated revenue (IGR) by restoring taxpayers’ trust in government.
“Uba Sani’s government is a government with a human face, and that is why we want him back in 2027,” Adams said.
He credited the administration with promoting fairness, inclusivity and peaceful coexistence across Kaduna State.
“Governor Sani is doing well. He has achieved a lot in terms of peace-building and inclusivity. People are no longer talking about religious segregation. What they are asking for is fairness, and that is what is happening now,” he said.
Adams also commended the governor for engaging all communities in the state, including Southern Kaduna, and for showing respect to traditional institutions.
“We have seen the governor participate in different Christian gatherings despite being a Muslim. Those of us from Southern Kaduna have also seen him accord respect to our traditional rulers,” he stated.
On workers’ welfare, the KADIRS chairman said the current administration has created a more secure working environment within the state’s civil service.
“For us as workers, there is no longer the fear of waking up to a sack letter. Job security is guaranteed in Kaduna State at the moment,” he said.
Adams attributed the significant rise in tax compliance to visible government projects and prudent management of public funds.
“The governor has done so much that our compliance level has moved from about 30 per cent to nearly 80 per cent,” he said.
He explained that taxpayers were more willing to fulfil their obligations because they could see the impact of their contributions through investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare and other public services.
Speaking on tax enforcement, Adams said the administration now favours dialogue and voluntary compliance over harsh sanctions.
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“It is not everything that requires punishment. You don’t solve a problem with another problem. Someone may commit an infraction, but rather than demolishing everything, you can ask the person to correct it, pay the necessary penalty, and move on,” he said, adding that Governor Sani’s administration does not believe in indiscriminate demolition of people’s properties.
He also acknowledged the governor’s consistent support for KADIRS, describing it as critical to the agency’s ongoing reforms.
“We have always taken our requests to him, and he has never failed to support us. We appreciate his political will to ensure that we succeed,” Adams said.
According to him, the administration inherited significant debt obligations, making improved internally generated revenue essential to sustaining governance and development.
“Something had to be done. I was entrusted with the responsibility of revitalising and transforming the service for optimal performance, and I appreciate His Excellency for giving me that opportunity,” he said.
Adams dismissed speculation linking him to any higher political ambition, insisting that his priority remains delivering on his mandate at KADIRS.
“My primary responsibility is to serve as the Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, and I am focused on that assignment. I am 100 per cent loyal to the governor. He is my boss and our leader, and we will continue to do everything possible to ensure his success.”
He expressed optimism that Kaduna State could achieve a monthly IGR of N20 billion if the current reforms are sustained.
“Our target is N20 billion monthly. It is ambitious, but it is achievable, and by God’s grace we will work towards attaining it,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ, Kaduna State Council, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, commended Adams for introducing reforms that have transformed revenue generation in the state.
He noted that Kaduna State’s monthly internally generated revenue had increased from about N4 billion in 2023 to approximately N9 billion under Adams’ leadership.
“We have monitored the reforms you have introduced, and they are transforming the service. Around 2023, the state’s monthly IGR stood at about N4 billion, but within two to three years it has risen to nearly N9 billion,” Alabelewe said.
He appealed for stronger collaboration between KADIRS and the media to deepen public understanding of tax reforms and revenue generation, assuring the agency of the union’s continued support in achieving its N20 billion monthly revenue target.
