Ekiti has become the first state to domesticate the Nigeria Tax Administration Act following the signing into law of the Ekiti State Revenue Administration Law, 2025, by Biodun Oyebanji, the governor.
Oyebanji assented to the revenue law alongside the state’s 2026 budget of N415.57 billion at a brief ceremony held at the executive council chamber in Ado-Ekiti.
The ceremony was witnessed by the deputy governor, Monisade Afuye; Adeoye Aribasoye, speaker of the Ekiti house of assembly, Segun Adesokan, executive secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, members of the legislature, the executive council and other stakeholders.
“From today, Ekiti adopts a strictly electronic payment, billing, and receipting system. This will eradicate leakages and ensure that your payments go directly into the state’s coffers,” he said.
The governor said the law repeals the Ekiti State Board of Internal Revenue Law 2019 to align the state with national tax reforms and adopt the harmonised list of taxes and levies approved by the Joint Revenue Board.
He added that the legislation would institutionalise harmony, fairness, certainty and accountability in subnational revenue administration while strengthening ease of doing business.
Oyebanji said the law grants the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service sole authority for revenue collection, allows accreditation of professional tax agents and empowers the service with prosecutorial capacity and administrative penalties.
The governor thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as transformative leadership and support for Ekiti state.
Speaking at the event, Adesokan commended Ekiti for taking the lead, saying the state fulfilled a request made by the Joint Revenue Board during its retreat in Ikogosi in September.
“Ekiti is the first state to domesticate the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and this shows commitment to professionalism and autonomy in revenue administration,” he said.
Adesokan expressed optimism that other states would follow Ekiti’s example and complete the domestication process.
Oyebanji also signed the 2026 budget, christened ‘Budget of Sustainable Governance’, saying it would prioritise completion of ongoing projects, food security, wealth creation and infrastructure.
The budget allocates 53 percent to recurrent expenditure and 47 percent to capital expenditure.
