Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Jim Pam Wayas
By CHRISTIANA LOT, jos –
Plateau State’s internally generated revenue (IGR) hit a record ₦31.14 billion in 2024, surpassing the ₦30 billion mark for the first time. The state government has now set an ambitious ₦52 billion target for 2025.
The Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, disclosed this on Friday while briefing journalists in Jos on the 2024 revenue performance and projections for the 2025 fiscal year.
He noted that the state had already made a strong start toward its revenue goal for 2025, attributing the push for higher IGR to declining federal allocations caused by debts incurred in previous years.
“For the first time in history, Plateau State has surpassed the ₦30 billion mark in internally generated revenue. In 2022, total revenue stood at ₦15.9 billion. By the end of 2023, we increased it to ₦25.8 billion. As of December 2024, we recorded ₦31.14 billion.
“In January alone, we collected about ₦3.3 billion, one of the highest amounts ever generated in a single month. This is a significant improvement compared to the ₦1.6 billion collected in January last year,” Wayas revealed.
On debts, he said, “Most of them are foreign, and when they were incurred, the exchange rate was around ₦440 to $1. Today, it fluctuates between ₦1,500 and ₦2,000 to $1. This has severely affected our allocations, with deductions leaving the state with little revenue from the federation account.”
He stated that the government was now focusing on untapped revenue sources, including the mining sector, while also addressing tax evasion among property owners and wealthy residents.
“Financial intelligence reports estimate that mineral activities bring between $5 million and $15 million into Plateau monthly, yet the state receives only about ₦300 million in royalties. This is unacceptable, and we are taking steps to regulate the sector.
“We have identified individuals with over 50 properties who have never paid tax. Some high-net-worth individuals live and do business in Plateau but pay their taxes elsewhere. That will no longer be tolerated,” he stressed.
Wayas added that the Revenue Service was improving tax compliance through data-driven assessments and digital payment systems. He assured residents that the government was not out to stifle businesses and called for greater tax compliance.
“Data is the new oil, and Nigeria must be driven by data. We are automating revenue collection to eliminate leakages and ensure all payments go directly to government accounts.
“Expect to see me on the streets of Jos, encouraging citizens to pay their taxes. Development is a collective responsibility, and the government must be held accountable in return,” he emphasized.
