BENIN CITY — The Edo State Government has directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to strictly comply with the State Revenue Administration Law, mandating that all revenue collections be conducted exclusively through government-approved Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) accounts.
The directive, contained in a circular dated April 1, 2026, was addressed to heads of MDAs, including commissioners and permanent secretaries, auditors-general at state and local government levels, Clerk of the Edo State House of Assembly, the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, as well as chief executives of boards and parastatals.
The circular reaffirmed that the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) remains the sole authority legally empowered to assess, collect and report all revenues accruing to the state, in line with Section 10(2) and Section 21(b) of the Edo State Revenue Administration Law, 2012.
Speaking at a meeting with heads of MDAs and permanent secretaries, the Executive Chairman of EIRS, Mr John Odior, outlined key compliance measures, stressing that all MDAs must immediately cease direct revenue collection and terminate the use of third-party agents for collecting taxes, levies or fees.
He also directed that taxpayers and business operators be cautioned against making payments to unauthorised individuals or groups, insisting that all payments must be made into designated government-approved IGR accounts, while all other accounts currently in use for revenue collection must be discontinued.
According to him, all assessments and payments for services, renewals and licences must henceforth be processed through the Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS).
Odior warned that any official or individual found violating the directive would face sanctions in accordance with the law.
He, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the level of compliance since the issuance of the circular, stressing that full cooperation was non-negotiable for effective revenue tracking and the elimination of financial leakages.
The EIRS chairman also drew attention to provisions of the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, noting that Section 72(2) mandates all MDAs to demand a valid Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) from individuals seeking government services.
To improve ease of doing business, he announced plans to introduce a Consolidated Annual Demand Notice aimed at eliminating multiple taxes and levies, while providing a more transparent and simplified payment structure.
Odior urged stakeholders to support the administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo, noting that strict revenue discipline is critical to delivering infrastructure and development across the state.
