FIRS Commends Gombe Government for Exemplary Commitment to Tax Compliance, Fiscal Discipline

Segun Awofadeji in Gombe 

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has commended the Gombe State Government for its commitment to tax compliance, fiscal discipline and effective financial management, describing the state as a model for sound governance and accountability in Nigeria.

The commendation was made by the Director of Government Business (Northern Region), Malam Atiku Muhammad Dukku, yesterday, during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Malam Muhammad Gambo Magaji, FCNA, in his office. 

 Atiku, who led a delegation from the FIRS headquarters in Abuja, conveyed the Service’s appreciation to the Gombe State Government for its consistent cooperation and contribution to national development through effective tax administration. 

He noted that the visit was aimed at strengthening existing collaboration, exchanging feedback, and exploring new avenues to improve service delivery and the overall tax experience.

He explained that, in line with the policy direction of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the federal government has signed a new Tax Reform Law scheduled for implementation in 2026. 

The reform, he said, seeks to expand Nigeria’s non-oil revenue base, stimulate economic growth and support small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The FIRS Director further revealed that the Service now accounts for nearly 70 per cent of total inflows into the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), a reflection of the growing importance of tax revenues in national development.

While commending the Commissioner of Finance for his professionalism and leadership, Atiku expressed optimism that Gombe would continue to uphold its reputation for transparency and sound financial management.

He also requested that the Ministry communicate a suitable date for the statewide sensitisation campaign on the new tax reform, which is ongoing nationwide.

In his remarks, Malam Muhammad Magaji, reaffirmed the Gombe State Government’s commitment to maintaining strong institutional collaboration with the Service. 

He attributed the success in fiscal governance to the visionary leadership of Governor Yahaya, whose reforms have strengthened fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.

The Commissioner stressed the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement and public sensitization, urging the FIRS to intensify awareness campaigns on the tax reforms, particularly through localized outreach in indigenous languages to ensure citizens’ full understanding and compliance.

The FIRS delegation included Wasa Karga Ahmed (Assistant Director), Danjuma Abdullahi (Senior Tax Manager), Malah K. M (Tax Manager), Bintu Yahya, and Abdulhamid Saleh. 

The Commissioner was joined, to receive the FIRS delegation, by Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Yunusa Muhammad; Director of Administration and Finance, Musa M. Babaji; Director of Finance and Accounts, Yusuf A. Goje and other senior officials of the Ministry. 

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    The federal government yesterday said it would release N11.995billion within 72 hours for the payment of outstanding arrears, including accoutrement allowance, to doctors and other health workers across the country.

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    The statement said the assurance was reiterated during a high-level meeting led by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Salako, between the top management of the ministry and the leadership of NARD, following the association’s recent agitations over welfare and professional concerns.

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    The President of the NARD, Dr. Muhammad Suleiman, had on Monday said the federal government owes doctors and other health workers across the country an estimated N38billion in accumulated allowances.

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    ​  

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    United States President, Mr. Donald Trump, yesterday said he had ordered the Department of War to prepare for possible military operations in Nigeria over the killing of Christians.
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    He added that the US would carry out military action against the country to completely wipe out those he described as the Islamic terrorists responsible for the killing of Christians.  

    This is just as the US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, in his reaction, said the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must immediately come to an end.
    In a related development, Senator Ted Cruz also vowed to advance legislation aimed at tackling the enforcement of Sharia and blasphemy laws in Nigeria, following Trump’s redesignation of the country as a “Country of Particular Concern”.
    Trump had on Friday designated Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ citing alleged widespread killings of Christians and rising religious intolerance.

    “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
    “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern’— But that is the least of it,” he added.

    The ‘Countries of Particular Concern’ is a list of nations the US considers to have engaged in religious freedom violations.
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    The US President emphasised that action must be taken when people are persecuted for their faith.
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    “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” he added.
    While reacting to the development, US Secretary of War Hegseth said the killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria and anywhere must immediately come to an end.

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    “The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria – and anywhere-must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” the tweet read.

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     “I am deeply gratified to President Trump for making this determination,” the statement read. “I have fought for years to counter the slaughter and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, and this year introduced legislation that will lock in the designation made today.”
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    Human rights groups have often criticised the use of blasphemy laws, citing incidents where individuals accused of blasphemy were killed by mobs or sentenced to death by religious courts.
    Recall that in early September, Cruz had proposed a bill seeking to protect “persecuted” Christians in Nigeria.

    ​  

    *Orders US Department of War to prepare for possible action  *Vows to cut economic aid*We are preparing for action, says Hegseth Festus Akanbi in Lagos, Deji Elumoye and Michael Olugbode

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