EDSG mandates strict compliance with revenue administration law

As part of strategic measures to sanitize, streamline, and ensure full accountability for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), the Edo State Government has directed all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to strictly adhere to the State Revenue Administration Law as all revenue collections must now be conducted exclusively through government approved IGR accounts.

The directive was issued via a circular dated April 1, 2026, addressed to all heads of MDAs, including:
Honourable Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries, Auditors-General (State and Local Government), the Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA), the Chief Registrar of High Court of Justice, Chief Executives of Boards and Parastatals.

The circular reaffirms that the Edo State Internal Revenue Service, EIRS is the sole authority legally empowered to assess, collect, and report all revenues accruing to the state, pursuant to Section 10 (2) and Section 21 (b) of the Edo State Revenue Administration Law, 2012.

Executive Chairman of the EIRS, Mr. John Odior FCA, ACTI, in a meeting with Heads of MDAs and Permanent Secretaries in Edo, emphasized the following mandates to ensure total compliance: “All MDAs must immediately stop direct revenue collection and terminate the engagement of third-party agents for the purpose of collecting taxes, levies, or fees.

“All Heads of MDAs are responsible for ensuring that taxpayers and business operators are cautioned against making payments to unauthorized individuals or groups.

“All payments must be made into designated, government approved IGR accounts. Any other accounts currently in use for revenue collection are to be discontinued immediately.

“All assessments and payments for services, renewals, and licenses must be processed via the
Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS).

Any MDA Official or individual found to be in contravention of this directive shall be deemed to be acting in violation of the law and shall be sanctioned according.

Mr. Odior however expressed dissatisfaction with the current level of compliance following the circular’s release. He noted that full cooperation of all is non-negotiable for effective revenue tracking and the elimination of financial leakages.

Mr. Odior used the opportunity to inform heads of MDAs present of the provisions of the NTAA with regards to tax clearance. “Section 72(2) of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, mandates all MDAs to demand a valid Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) from any individual seeking government services”. He stated

To improve the ease of doing business, Mr. Odior announced plans to introduce a Consolidated Annual Demand Notice. He noted the initiative aims to eradicate the multiplicity of taxes and levies, providing a more transparent and simplified payment structure for citizens.

Mr. Odior urged all stakeholders to support the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, highlighting that strict revenue discipline is essential for the government to provide infrastructure and development across the state.