Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal Outlaws Cash Revenue Collection, Sets ₦42 Billion IGR Target

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has issued a sweeping directive banning all cash-based revenue collection across state government institutions, signaling a decisive push toward full digitization of the state’s public finance system.

The announcement came during a high-level town hall organized in Gusau by the Zamfara State Internal Revenue Service (ZSIRS), convened to enlighten key stakeholders on the implications of Nigeria’s Tax Reform Acts 2025 — a federal initiative designed to modernize tax administration and clarify fiscal roles across all tiers of government.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Lawal made clear that revenue mobilization is a shared responsibility across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He warned firmly against revenue leakages, duplicated levies, and the unauthorized collection of funds outside approved channels.

“The era of cash transactions for government revenue is over in Zamfara State,” the Governor declared. “We are building a system where every kobo due to the state is accounted for digitally, leaving no room for manipulation or misappropriation.”

Underpinning the directive is the newly re-enacted Zamfara State Consolidated Revenue Law, which consolidates both tax and non-tax revenue collection under a single, unified digital framework — giving the state revenue service broader legal authority to enforce compliance.

As part of the wider reform agenda, the state government has set an Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target of between ₦38 billion and ₦42 billion for the 2025 fiscal year. Authorities say the goal is within reach, driven by expanded tax coverage, improved collection efficiency, and tightened accountability across revenue-generating bodies.