The Sanity Multi-Efforts Forum, SMEF, a CAC-registered Civil Society Organization with the mandate for Sanity in Governance, Revenue, Security, Economy, Education, Health and Environment, has commended the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service for its public assurances and proactive stance at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
In a statement issued in Lokoja, SMEF said KGIRS’ presentation at the NBA conference reflects a renewed commitment to lawful, transparent and citizen-friendly tax administration in Kogi State. According to reports from the conference, the Service reaffirmed its full alignment with the newly signed Nigeria Tax Act and Nigeria Tax Administration Act 2026 which came into effect in January 2026. KGIRS also pledged to eliminate multiple taxation, protect low-income earners, and deepen taxpayer trust under the principle of “Taxing Prosperity, Not Poverty.”
SMEF specifically commended the Executive Chairman of KGIRS and the entire Service Directorates for using the NBA 2026 platform to present Kogi’s renewed legal framework and to assure legal practitioners and stakeholders of the state’s readiness to implement the new tax regime in full. The Forum noted that the Service’s position aligns with the conference theme “Beyond Limits” which challenged institutions to embrace innovation and contribute more effectively to governance and national development.
The Convener of SMEF, Ambassador Dan Olaitan Dada, described the development as a welcome step in the right direction.
“For years we have advocated that taxation must be lawful, predictable and tied to service delivery. This advocacy began under our ‘Sanity Must Be It – SMBI’ citizens’ movement in 2017. To deepen impact, we institutionalized the structure: Dansavist Multi-Concept, DMC handled grassroots advocacy from 2017–2025; DMCL and SMEL provided the technical and commercial backbone from 2025; and on 21st May 2026, SMEF was birthed and registered with CAC RC 9565689 as the National Advocacy and Policy Platform.
What KGIRS has done at the NBA 2026 is to assure both legal practitioners and the business community that Kogi is ready to domesticate best practices. This gives hope to artisans, market women, transporters and SMEs who have borne the brunt of illegal levies,” he said.
SMEF noted that this alignment is not new. Prior to the NBA conference, KGIRS had already commenced and completed the process of harmonizing Kogi State’s revenue laws with the new national tax framework. The Forum said it has monitored this process closely and welcomes the consistency between state policy and federal reform.
For nine years, SMEF and its predecessor platforms under the Sanity Brand Ecosystem, SBES, have documented and amplified cases of harassment, double taxation and unauthorized roadblocks across Nigeria. The organization’s advocacy has featured in Leadership, Daily Trust, Tribune, TheReporters and The Drum Reporter. SMEF has consistently called for a single, lawful and digital revenue collection channel in line with the Joint Revenue Board Communique of December 2025 and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Tax Reform agenda aimed at harmonizing revenue collection and ending nuisance taxes.
Barr. Bamidele Suru, a member of the SMEF Board of Trustees, said the latest position by KGIRS aligns with SMEF’s constitutional objectives and relevant laws including the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, CAMA 2020, ICPC Act 2000, EFCC Act 2004, FOI Act 2011 and the Nigeria Tax Act 2025.
“The law is now clear. Tax must be collected by the right authority, through the right channel, and with respect for the rights of the taxpayer. The new Acts outlaw multiple taxation, levy by unauthorized persons, and collection outside designated channels,” he stated.
Comrade Olonila George Dare, also a member of the SMEF Board of Trustees and Head of Grassroots Mobilization, added that public enlightenment must follow policy pronouncements.
“Our people in the markets and motor parks need to know that persons earning below N1.3 million annually are exempted from personal income tax, those earning between N1.3 million and N3 million will enjoy reduced rates, and that multiple taxation is now illegal. Knowledge is the first defense against extortion,” he said.
In view of these developments, SMEF commends KGIRS and the Executive Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for demonstrating the political will to domesticate and implement the new tax laws. The Forum said this bold step positions Kogi to attract investment, protect the poor and grow Internally Generated Revenue transparently in line with the renewed focus on ease of doing business.
The Convener, Ambassador Dan Olaitan Dada, further encouraged KGIRS to sustain and scale up massive public enlightenment across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Citizens must be educated on their rights and responsibilities, while revenue agents must be retrained to operate within the law, with civility and with verifiable identity. Digital payment and harmonized ticketing must replace cash and manual collection at all points,” he said.
The Forum also reaffirms its commitment to partner with KGIRS, the Nigerian Bar Association Kogi State Branch, security agencies, market unions and transport unions to ensure full implementation of revenue laws in the state. As part of this collaboration, SMEF will continue to support efforts aimed at ending illegal revenue collection, double and multiple taxation, unauthorized roadblocks, touting, and collection by non-state actors — all of which are specifically prohibited under the new Nigeria Tax Administration Act.
SMEF assures KGIRS and the Kogi State Government of its support in citizen education, lawful reporting and the promotion of voluntary compliance. Through its established channels, citizens can lawfully report cases of road nuisances including extortion, harassment, illegal checkpoints and poor service delivery for escalation to appropriate authorities.
The Forum emphasized that taxation must be tied to visible service delivery. When citizens see improvements in electricity, roads, security, markets and healthcare, trust will grow and voluntary compliance will follow. This, SMEF said, is the only sustainable path for Kogi State to achieve KGIRS’ stated target of becoming number one in IGR in North-Central Nigeria and number three among the 19 Northern States.
In a final remark, the Convener, Ambassador Dan Olaitan Dada, said the pursuit of sanity in governance and revenue is not a one-day affair.
“It demands collaboration, courage and consistency. As an advocacy platform, SMEF will continue to provide evidence, amplify citizen voices, and support lawful reforms. We therefore call on all well-meaning Kogites to support this reform. Pay the right tax to the right agency. Demand the right service. And together, let us build a Kogi where sanity becomes the standard.”
