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By Emmanuel Kwada
In a remarkable turnaround, Zamfara State has emerged as Nigeria’s leading state in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) growth, according to BudgIT’s 2024 State of States Report. This feat is attributed to the state’s strategic decision to reduce its reliance on Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) funds.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, disclosed that the significant improvement in the growth of the Zamfara Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 240.44% is linked to the state’s decision to not rely only on Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). The statement added that the BudgIT report was obtained through its annual analysis, assessment, and rankings of the fiscal performance of all 36 states, from the most to the least sustainable.
Zamfara Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) by 240.44% is linked to the state’s decision to not rely only on Federal Account Allocation Committee
The BudgIT report explained the significant growth in Zamfara State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), highlighting that from its bottom position of 36th in 2023, Zamfara rose to 26th in 2024. “This significant feat can be attributed to the state reversing the decline of 49.75% observed in its 2022 IGR, increasing it by 240.22% from N6.51bn in 2022 to N22.16bn in 2023.
Its Income Tax grew by 142.26% from N5.03bn in 2022 to N12.18bn, licenses rose by 5921.22% from N22.78 million in 2022 to N1.37 billion in 2023, Fees grew by 3610.38% from N82.44 million in 2022 to N3.06 billion in 2023
There were significant increases in components of Zamfara’s IGR year-on-year: its Income Tax grew by 142.26% from N5.03bn in 2022 to N12.18bn, licenses rose by 5921.22% from N22.78 million in 2022 to N1.37 billion in 2023, Fees grew by 3610.38% from N82.44 million in 2022 to N3.06 billion in 2023.
Additionally, fines rose by 1924.52% from N24.15 million in 2022 to N491.32 million in 2023, Sales grew by 32.49% from N772.06 million in 2022 to N1.02 billion in 2023, Earnings grew by 542.59% from N87.53 million in 2022 to N562.48 million in 2023, and its earnings from other taxes grew by 519.71% from N412.03 million in 2022 to N2.55 billion in 2023.
The state generated revenue from rent on government buildings, rent on lands and others, investment income, and reimbursement, where it recorded no revenue in the previous years
Furthermore, the state generated revenue from rent on government buildings, rent on lands and others, investment income, and reimbursement, where it recorded no revenue in the previous year. Zamfara can demonstrate a commitment to improving its financial sustainability by exploring its natural resources in collaboration with the federal government to diversify its revenue base.
The state’s total revenue increased by 65.35% to N144.95bn in 2023 from N87.68bn earned the previous year. Regarding recurrent revenue structure, the state’s susceptibility to external fiscal shocks appeared to have reduced from the previous year as its FAAC dependence decreased from 90.52% in 2022 to 74.66% in 2023, despite the FAAC allocation rising by 4.93% from N62.21bn to N65.28bn. Lastly, the IGR to recurrent revenue ratio for 2023 was 22.16% higher than 9.48% in 2022.
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Zamfara’s impressive performance is a significant improvement from its 36th position in 2023, jumping to 26th in 2024. The state’s total revenue also increased by 65.35% to N144.95 billion.
To maintain financial sustainability, Zamfara aims to explore its natural resources in collaboration with the federal government. By reducing its dependence on FAAC funds, the state has decreased its susceptibility to external fiscal shocks. The BudgIT report emphasizes the importance of fiscal performance and sustainability in Nigeria’s 36 states. Zamfara’s success story serves as a model for other states to follow.
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