Executive Chairman of the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS), Otunba (Hon) Oladele Bankole-Balogun Esq, ACTI on Thursday 3rd July, 2025 announced that the State generated N52.6 billion in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) over the past six months.
He made the disclosure while presenting the Revenue Service’s half-year performance review at the EIRS Corporate Head Office Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Hon. Bankole-Balogun, who commended his team for the unprecedented achievement, described the feat as surpassing the agency’s previous records. He noted that the success was recorded within his first six months in office, calling the development historic.
According to him, “The results speak for themselves. When we compare the first half of 2024 with that of 2025, we have the figures as follows: January 2025, N10.4 billion; February, N9.6 billion; March, N6.9 billion; April, N6.9 billion; May, N7.8 billion; and June, over N11 billion, giving us a half-year total of N52.6 billion.
“This compares against a half-year budgeted figure of N58.8 billion, representing an 89.5 percent performance year-to-date.
“In contrast, the first half of 2024 recorded a total of N36.1 billion, which means we achieved a 45 percent increase in revenue performance year-on-year.
“I am proud to announce that EIRS has set four new records in Internally Generated Revenue in the first half of 2025 ( N10.4bn in January, N9.6bn in February, N11.1bn in June, N52.6bn in H1-2025).
“This achievement is historic, reflecting the synergy between the staff, management, and, most importantly, the unwavering support of the Executive Governor, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa. We are deeply grateful for their vision and commitment.”
The EIRS Chairman also commended taxpayers for their cooperation, which he said contributed significantly to the agency’s progress during the period under review.
“Let me appreciate the great taxpayers of Edo State; individuals, corporations, and government MDAs whose compliance has been instrumental to our success.
“Your taxes are the lifeblood of the massive infrastructural and developmental projects currently being executed across our dear state,” Bankole-Balogun stated.
He added that to ensure the smooth running of its operations, the EIRS has strengthened intergovernmental relationships with several federal and state MDAs for effective service delivery. He listed the Federal Road Safety Corp FRSC, Edo State Transport Agency EDSTA, Edo Geographic Information Service EdoGIS, Edo State Development & Property Corporation ESDPC, among other agencies, adding that the judiciary has also played a key role.
According to him, the EIRS collaborated with the judiciary during the period to recover outstanding tax liabilities owed to the State government.
The EIRS Executive Chairman further revealed that the tax authority has resolved issues with burrow pit owners, private school proprietors, and various transport unions, including Road Transport Employers of Nigerian RTEAN, National Union of Road Transport Workers NURTW, and Professional Drivers on Wheels PDOW—addressing tax compliance concerns and reducing touting activities on roads and motor parks.
On capacity building, he noted that the Board conducted an onboarding exercise for Data Collection Agents (DCAs) and partnered with institutions such as the University of Benin to train staff on taxation.
Speaking on recent federal government tax reforms and their implications, Bankole-Balogun assured that the EIRS would intensify its public enlightenment efforts to ensure taxpayers fully understand the changes and their impact.
He urged taxpayers not to see tax payment as a burden but as a vital contribution to the State’s development.
