Ekiti Links Upsurge In IGR to Increased Public Trust In Oyebanji Administration 

Ekiti State Government has attributed the significant increase in the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from about ₦650 million to ₦2.3 billion monthly within a span of three years, to growth in public trust for government due to Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s responsible, transparent, and accountable use of resources to rapidly develop the State and improve the welfare of the people.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti on the substantial increase in the State’s IGR, the State Commissioner for Information, Rt. Hon. Taiwo Olatunbosun noted that Governor Oyebanji administration has successfully built public trust and investors’ confidence by creating a stable and sustainable conducive environment for investments through effective policies on transparency and ethical behaviour.

He said “tax payers are actually seeing what Government is doing with the money paid as taxes. They can see the completed and ongoing road projects spread across the three senatorial districts; rehabilitation and upgrade of all public secondary schools and most primary schools; upgrading of hospitals across the State; improvement and provision of electricity to communities that had been underserved for over a decade among others”.

“These achievements have culminated in the massive endorsement of Governor Oyebanji from different sector and across all strata of the society”.

Rt. Hon. Olatunbosun said the Governor adopted a comprehensive approach and supportive governance using a combination of technological innovation, expanded taxpayer engagement, and strategic public-private partnerships, adding that the State also engaged thorough professionals that are meticulous, careful and exercise a high degree of diligence and accuracy in their task to man the State Internal Revenue Service.

Olatunbosun stressed that the administration, guided by its six pillars, has recorded massive achievements across all spheres of life including infrastructure, poverty reduction and empowerment, environmental protection and commerce as well as blocking leakages amongst others, adding that the accomplishments and its attendant increased public trust in government led to improved compliance with tax obligations and engagement with government.

According to him, Ekiti State Government was recognized by the Joint Tax Board (JTB) as the top performer in IGR growth among Nigerian states for 2023, with a 75% increase in annual revenue, from ₦17.03 billion in 2022 to ₦29.82 billion in 2023 adding that the State also improved its rankings in total collections and direct assessments, reflecting the success of its revenue enhancement strategies.

Assuring people in the State of Government’s resolve not to only sustain, but improve on the pace of development in the State, Olatunbosun solicit the continued support of all stakeholders for efforts to improve their lot and optimally achieve the desired goals.