by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Mwayas Jim Pam, has revealed that, as of the close of business last year, 2024, the Service recorded ₦31.14 billion in revenue generation. This was the first time Plateau State exceeded the ₦30 billion benchmark in revenue generation.
According to him, in 2022 the total revenue generated was ₦15.9 billion, and by the end of 2023, they were able to increase it to ₦25.8 billion.
Briefing newsmen on Friday in his office, Mr Pam disclosed that, looking ahead, the state government has set a total revenue target of ₦52 billion for 2025.
“We need to start 2025 on a strong note, as the state government has set a total revenue target of ₦52 billion for the year. We began 2025 on solid footing.”
He further explained that, “In January 2025, we collected about ₦3.3 billion, one of the highest amounts ever collected in a single month. Compared to last year, when we generated about ₦1.6 billion in January, this represents a significant improvement in revenue generation.
He stressed that, “The federal allocations to the state have declined due to debts incurred in previous years, many of which were taken when the exchange rate was much lower.
“Many people are asking about the revenue being generated internally and questioning what is coming from the federal allocation. The truth is that, federal allocation to the state has been declining, mainly due to debts incurred in previous years.
Mr. Jim Pam noted that, most of these debts are foreign, and at the time they were taken, the exchange rate was around ₦440 to $1. Today, the exchange rate has fluctuated, sometimes reaching as high as ₦2,000 to $1.
The Chairman further explained that, “Even as of yesterday, it was about ₦1,500; this has severely affected the state’s subsidy allocation, which, for the past six months, has been in the negative. While federal figures may indicate that the state receives billions, by the time deductions are made, what actually reaches the state’s coffers is significantly lower,” he said.
While stressing that the state must look inward for revenue, identifying new sources and plugging loopholes, he added that, “We are now exploring our Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) potential.”
He commended Governor Caleb Mutfwang for taking bold steps to do things differently, adding that, “The entire revenue system is undergoing transformation, and we are identifying untapped revenue sources. The mining sector is an area where the state had been losing substantial revenue, despite high levels of mineral extraction.
“According to financial intelligence reports, the capital inflow into Plateau State, from the mineral sector, is estimated to be between $5 million and $15 million monthly.
“Yet, none of these benefits the state, not even in terms of the 13% derivation on royalties. To the best of my knowledge, the only amount the state receives in royalties is around ₦300 million, despite billions flowing out of the state from mineral exports,” he stated.
He explained that the ongoing suspension of mining activities was aimed at addressing both security concerns and revenue losses.
“Some people have asked whether the suspension of mining activities applies only to illegal operations or all mining. My answer is that, it includes both conventional and traditional mining,” he said.
According to him, “The primary reason for this suspension is insecurity, but there are also other factors, particularly regarding revenue. The state has never truly tapped into the mining sector as a revenue source.”
Mr Pam also raised concerns about the presence of undocumented foreign nationals operating in the mining sector, saying, “I wrote to the Nigerian Immigration Service requesting an expert quota assessment, and what we discovered was alarming.
“Many of these foreign nationals are not properly registered, and some have even opened multiple bank accounts under questionable circumstances. It appears to be a cartel, but we are determined to regulate the sector and ensure the state benefits,” he stated.
He said the state government was also focusing on property tax and land use charges – areas that have largely remained untapped.
“We have identified individuals, who own over 50 properties; yet, have never paid tax. The highest amount some of them have ever paid to the Internal Revenue Service is just ₦1.5 million. And I had to ask: if you have only paid ₦1.5 million in taxes, how did you generate the revenue to acquire over 50 houses? These are the kinds of questions we need to ask ourselves,” he said.
On tax evasion, Mr Pam lamented that some wealthy individuals living and running businesses in the State were paying their taxes elsewhere.
According to him, “We have high-net-worth individuals in Plateau State, who refuse to pay taxes here. Some of them reside and run businesses in the state, and yet claim their tax jurisdiction is in Oyo State, in Ibadan. This is absurd. The tax law states that, ‘individual tax assessment is based on the place of principal residence.’ ”
He disclosed further that, the Revenue Service was strengthening collaboration with key agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), the National Population Commission, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, to improve tax compliance through data-driven assessments.
“Data is the new oil and, as far as I’m concerned, Nigeria must be driven by data. With accurate data, we can properly assess and tax individuals, eliminating arbitrary estimations.
“To enhance tax payment processes,” he said, “the state was introducing digital payment systems, ensuring all revenues go directly to government accounts.
“No one in the Revenue Service, including the chairman, management, and staff, has access to IGR funds. All collected revenues go directly into designated accounts and are automatically transferred to the Treasury Single Account (TSA),” he stated.
Pam further assured residents that the government was not out to stifle businesses, adding that the administration was open to discussions with stakeholders.
He called on Plateau citizens, especially those doing business in the state, to pay their taxes and contribute to the development of the state, noting that, “Last year, we generated ₦1.14 billion in revenue. This year, as a Service, we believe we can surpass ₦52 billion, reducing our reliance on federal allocations,” Pam said.
He announced that tax sensitization campaigns would no longer be limited to social media but would involve direct engagement with taxpayers.
Mr Pam emphasized the need for taxpayers to trust the government and fulfill their obligations, saying, “and nobody needs to go to school to know that the roads are bad.”