Ekiti State Governor Reiterates Commitment To Economic Self-Sustainability

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a self-sustaining economy capable of funding its recurrent expenditure through internally generated revenue (IGR) rather than relying heavily on federal allocations.

Speaking on Saturday at the inauguration of the new Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service (EKIRS) Area Tax Office in Ikole Ekiti, Oyebanji described the move as a strategic step to decentralize revenue collection, improve tax administration, and enhance economic independence.

“Our target, by the Grace Of GOD, is that we should be able to fund our recurrent expenditure from IGR. We should be able to pay workers’ salaries from IGR. If we achieve this, whatever comes from the Federation Accounts Allocation Commission can then be used for developmental projects. That’s the target, and it is doable,” the governor stated.

Strengthening Revenue Generation Without Burdening Citizens

Governor Oyebanji emphasized that his administration is strengthening the state’s revenue-generation mechanisms while ensuring that the process does not impose undue hardship on residents. He commended EKIRS for its efforts in expanding the state’s revenue base and urged the agency to intensify sensitization campaigns to educate citizens on the importance of tax compliance.

He assured citizens that the funds generated through taxes would be judiciously utilized to provide critical infrastructure and improve the standard of living in Ekiti. “We have done a lot to the glory of God. We have been able to activate those promises in education, agriculture, health, infrastructure, governance, and human capital development,” he noted.

Visible Impact of Effective Tax Utilization

The Chairman of EKIRS, Mr. Olaniran Olatona, attributed the increasing compliance among taxpayers to the government’s transparent use of public funds. According to him, the various ongoing developmental projects across the state have fostered trust and made it easier to convince residents to fulfill their civic duty.

“The visible developmental projects across the state have reassured taxpayers that their contributions are making a difference. This has boosted trust and encouraged more residents to comply with tax regulations,” Olatona said.

He called on citizens to continue supporting the government’s vision by paying their taxes promptly and regularly, adding that such contributions are critical to sustaining the state’s development agenda.

Towards a Self-Reliant Ekiti

The establishment of the new tax office and the governor’s proactive approach underscore Ekiti State’s vision of financial autonomy and sustainable growth. By prioritizing efficient tax administration and ensuring transparent utilization of resources, the Oyebanji-led administration is setting the state on a path toward reduced dependence on federal allocations and enhanced economic stability.