From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), has sought stronger collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), as part of efforts to improve tax compliance and curb financial infractions in the state.
The Executive Chairman of KW-IRS, Folashade Omoniyi, made the call recently, when she led members of the management team of the agency on a courtesy visit to the Ilorin Zonal Director of the EFCC, ACE I Victoria Ugo, at the commission’s office.
Omoniyi said the visit was to formally welcome the new EFCC zonal director and further consolidate the existing relationship between the two agencies in promoting transparency and accountability in the state.
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She explained that the visit followed a long-standing tradition of the revenue agency to engage new heads of partner institutions in order to strengthen institutional cooperation.
“We came to formally welcome you and also to put a face to the name. It has always been our tradition to visit strategic agencies like the EFCC whenever a new head assumes office so that we can continue to build stronger working relationships,” she said.
Omoniyi recalled that she was first appointed Executive Chairman of KW-IRS in October 2019 by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and was reappointed in October 2023 after completing her first tenure.
She noted that KW-IRS and the EFCC had maintained a productive partnership over the years, particularly in addressing financial irregularities and improving revenue generation for the state.
The KW-IRS boss also highlighted the significance of the recently enacted tax reform signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a major step toward strengthening Nigeria’s tax administration.
According to her, “the reform is designed to simplify Nigeria’s tax system, reduce the burden on low-income earners and small businesses, while boosting government revenue through improved compliance.”
Despite the reforms, Omoniyi expressed concern over the persistent problem of tax evasion, stressing the need for continuous public enlightenment on the new tax laws so that citizens can better understand their civic obligations.
She called for sustained collaboration between KW-IRS and the EFCC, particularly in intelligence sharing and enforcement actions aimed at tackling tax-related offences.
“Stronger synergy between our agencies will help curb tax evasion and other financial infractions. This will ultimately boost internally generated revenue and support the development efforts of the Kwara State government,” she said.
Omoniyi also congratulated Ugo on her appointment as the Ilorin Zonal Director of the EFCC, expressing optimism that her leadership would further strengthen the fight against economic and financial crimes in the zone.
Responding, Ugo thanked the KW-IRS delegation for the visit and described the gesture as a demonstration of goodwill and institutional partnership.
She noted that the anti-corruption drive under the leadership of the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, places significant emphasis on tax compliance as a key element of financial accountability and national development.
According to her, the meeting provided an opportunity for both organisations to interact, exchange ideas and deepen collaboration in the fight against financial crimes.
“This visit goes beyond familiarisation. It is an opportunity for both institutions to share ideas and strengthen collaboration so that we can achieve more effective results in promoting accountability and combating financial crimes,” she said.
