ENUGU, February 8, 2026 – Enugu State internally generated revenue (IGR) for 2025 rose to ₦406.77 billion, marking a 125% increase from 2024. The surge was driven by strong taxpayer cooperation, the revival of abandoned projects, asset recovery, and visible infrastructure development under Governor Peter Mbah.
The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) said the 2025 IGR represents 80% of the ₦509.95 billion revenue projection for the year, reflecting the state’s growing fiscal resilience and reduced dependence on allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).
ESIRS Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, disclosed this during a press conference at the agency’s headquarters in Enugu.
“This achievement reflects the cooperation of Enugu taxpayers and the confidence created by visible governance outcomes across the state,” Nnamani said.
He recalled that Enugu State’s total IGR was ₦26.8 billion in 2022, comprising ₦16.2 billion in tax revenue and ₦10.6 billion in non-tax revenue. Following Governor Mbah’s assumption of office in August 2023, the revenue service was tasked with expanding the state’s revenue base and reducing reliance on federal allocations.
“The mandate was to generate enough revenue internally to fund salaries, pensions, overheads, and development sustainably,” Nnamani said.
The policy shift saw IGR rise to ₦37.4 billion in 2023, made up of ₦22.9 billion in tax revenue and ₦14.5 billion in non-tax revenue. In 2024, IGR jumped sharply to ₦180.5 billion, largely due to ₦150 billion in non-tax revenue from the recovery and commercialization of abandoned state-owned assets.
In 2025, tax revenue contributed ₦51.5 billion (12.6% of total collections), while non-tax revenue accounted for ₦355.2 billion (87.4%). Nnamani explained that the dominance of non-tax revenue is linked directly to the revival of idle assets and optimization of government-owned resources.
Despite this, tax revenue recorded a 72% year-on-year growth, rising from ₦30 billion in 2024 to ₦51.5 billion in 2025, outperforming the 31% growth achieved in the previous year.
“Tax revenue remains the most sustainable funding source, which is why we are strengthening compliance through technology, transparency, and plugging revenue leakages,” he said.
Nnamani also linked improved compliance to visible development projects executed by the state government, including the rehabilitation of abandoned projects, construction of Smart Green Schools, establishment of primary healthcare centres in all electoral wards, upgraded transport infrastructure, and ongoing urban and rural renewal initiatives.
“People are more willing to comply when they can see roads being fixed, schools rebuilt, health centres functioning, and long-abandoned projects brought back to life,” he added.
Looking ahead, ESIRS projected an IGR target of ₦870 billion for 2026. Nnamani noted that tax revenue may decline temporarily due to pro-citizen tax reforms but expressed confidence that public trust and compliance would sustain growth.
He assured residents that ESIRS would continue to uphold accountability, transparency, and traceability in revenue collection, while commending taxpayers for their cooperation and support.
Residents praised the government for its infrastructural drive, particularly in roads, schools, and hospitals, as well as the revival of abandoned projects. Others urged the state to improve access to potable water in some areas.
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