… The Salihu Sule Enehe’s Way.
By Dada Ahmed.
In the heart of Nigeria’s North-Central region, Kogi State is no doubt witnessing a quiet but powerful revolution, not on the streets, but in its revenue offices, business hubs, and local communities. At the centre of this transformation is the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), under the visionary leadership of Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe,a guru in tax administration and financial management among others.What was once a bureaucratic agency struggling with inefficiency has become a symbol of reform, responsibility, and reinvestment in democratic dividends.
When Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe assumed leadership of KGIRS on February 17,2023 as the substantive Executive Chairman, he inherited a system hampered by leakages, low compliance, and low public distrust. Rather than being discouraged, Enehe saw these challenges as opportunity to reengineer the Service, leveraging transparency, innovation, and inclusivity to drive tax compliance and fiscal discipline across the state.
One of the cornerstone achievements of KGIRS under Enehe’s tenure has been the implementation of automated tax systems. By digitizing tax collection and record-keeping, KGIRS significantly reduced human interference, closed avenues for corruption, and made it easier for individuals and businesses to fulfill their obligations. This transformation has enhanced both compliance and revenue drive by the Service.
Equally significant is KGIRS’ strategy of engaging taxpayers through public education. The Service launched widespread sensitization campaigns using radio, social media, town hall meetings, and stakeholder fora to explain why taxes matter and how they translate to better infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. This transparency has bridged the trust gap between government and citizens.
For the first time in years, Kogi residents are seeing direct links between their taxes and tangible developments in their communities. Roads are being constructed and rehabilitated, health centres are equipped, schools receiving attention, and entrepreneurs are benefitting from small business support schemes,all funded in part through improved tax revenues.
Under Enehe’s leadership, KGIRS has also strengthened its enforcement framework. Rather than deploying aggressive tactics, the agency has prioritized dialogue and legal procedures to address defaulters. This shift in approach not only preserves public goodwill but also upholds the rule of law, enhancing the state’s reputation for responsible governance.
One innovative initiative in the Service by the Enehe-led management has been the creation of taxpayer identification and feedback mechanisms. Citizens can now report irregularities, verify payments, and track how their taxes are used. These measures reinforce accountability and enable data-driven planning across key sectors of the state’s economy.
Internally, KGIRS has invested heavily in staff capacity building. Training programmes, performance incentives, and ethical standards have improved professionalism and morale of the staff within the Service. This internal culture shift reflects in the quality of service delivery, setting a benchmark for public institutions statewide.
Moreover, the KGIRS model is inclusive. It recognizes the informal sector as a key revenue source and engages market associations, artisans, and SMEs with simplified tax regimes. By doing so, it broadens the tax net without placing undue burden on low-income earners, creating a sense of equity and shared responsibility.
The ripple effects of this revenue reform extend to governance. With more internally generated revenue (IGR), the Kogi State Government has reduced overreliance on federal allocations, boosts prompt payment of the state workforce and retirees. This financial independence has also fostered sustainability and buffers the state against economic shocks from fluctuating oil prices and national allocations.
KGIRS has also become a model for interagency collaboration. Working closely with local government councils, ministries, and security agencies, it ensures that tax policies are synchronized, fair, and effectively implemented. These partnerships have enhanced both coverage and compliance.
Salihu Sule Enehe’s leadership style,marked by humility, clarity, and purpose,has earned him accolades beyond the state. His emphasis on stakeholder engagement and data-driven decision-making has redefined how a state revenue service can act as an engine for development.
Importantly, Enehe has maintained a citizen-first approach. By boosting the effort of the Ododo-led administration in prioritizing the welfare of the people and using revenue as a tool to fund essential services, he has turned the narrative around taxation from one of coercion to one of collective growth and empowerment.
As Kogi prepares for a future defined by economic diversification and infrastructural expansion, the foundations laid by KGIRS under Salihu Sule Enehe will prove pivotal. Effective tax administration is no longer a distant ideal, it is now a living reality, fueling development and deepening democracy across the state.
Ultimately, the KGIRS story, exemplified by the dynamic leadership of Alhaji Salihu Sule Enehe,is one of vision, integrity, and execution. And in Salihu Sule Enehe, Kogi State has found a steward who not only understands the power of revenue but also the responsibility it carries in building a just, prosperous society.
Ahmed is a publishes The Reporters.
