The Abia State Government has unveiled plans to generate N120 billion in internally generated revenue (IGR) for the 2025 fiscal year, backed by a sweeping tax enumeration and automation initiative. Commissioner for Information Prince Okey Kanu announced the ambitious target during a press briefing in Umuahia, crediting Governor Alex Otti’s administration with “significant progress” in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and urban renewal over the past 23 months.
The statewide exercise, conducted in collaboration with Access Bank, aims to catalog residential properties, businesses, and residents through integration with the Abia State Social Identification Number (ABSSIN). Kanu described the initiative as critical to enhancing revenue accuracy, ensuring tax equity, and expanding access to social services. “Our ambition for 2025 is even greater,” he stated, emphasizing the need to “unlock every viable revenue avenue” to meet rising public expectations.
Finance Commissioner Uwaoma Ukandu reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency, citing “visible progress” in development projects requiring sustainable funding. “With Ndi Abia’s continued cooperation, we are optimistic about achieving our targets,” he added.
Professor Udochukwu Ogbonna, Chairman of the Abia State Internal Revenue Service, linked the tax drive to improved security, noting the database would aid in tracking residents and businesses. “It’s not just about revenue—it’s about securing lives and property,” he said, urging compliance as a civic duty. “Little drops of water make an ocean. Prompt tax payment strengthens governance.”
The event, attended by Access Bank officials and top state executives, underscored calls for residents and businesses to engage with the automation process, particularly those previously outside the tax net. Officials framed the initiative as a cornerstone of Abia’s fiscal strategy, aligning revenue growth with broader developmental goals under Otti’s administration.
