In the heart of Kaduna State, a quiet revolution is reshaping the financial future of the region, led by the dynamic and innovative Comrade Jerry Adams, Executive Chairman of the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS). Since assuming the role of acting executive chairman in July 2023, this seasoned tax administrator has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that have redefined revenue administration in Nigeria’s northern region.
Record-Breaking Performance
Adams’ strategic foresight and commitment to transformative governance have propelled Kaduna’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to unprecedented heights. Under his astute leadership, KADIRS has not only solidified its position as Northern Nigeria’s highest revenue-generating state but has also set new benchmarks for fiscal transparency and accountability, achieving N62.49 billion in 2023, N70 billion in 2024, and targeting an ambitious N112 billion for 2025.
Early indicators suggest this ambitious target is achievable, with January and February 2025 alone recording collections of N14.16 billion. His leadership is marked by a blend of technological innovation, financial inclusion, and a people-centric approach that has revitalized the state’s economy and restored public trust in KADIRS.
Innovation-Driven Solutions
Recognizing that major sources of revenue for the state have dried up, Adams has championed groundbreaking technological solutions. In May 2024, KADIRS launched two transformative platforms: Project CRAFT and the PayKaduna Portal.
Project CRAFT, which stands for Cross-Systems for Revenue Administration and Fiscal Transparency, marks the beginning of a new era in revenue generation and management for Kaduna State. The Central Data Repository (CDR) established under Project CRAFT ensures secure, state-owned management of taxpayer data, enabling informed decision-making and strategic planning.
The PayKaduna Portal allows residents and businesses to pay taxes remotely, fostering a seamless, transparent process that has significantly boosted voluntary tax compliance. The chairman emphasized that these initiatives represent not just technology but a transformative approach to governance, allowing the state to leverage advanced data analytics and automation to enhance revenue generation capacity, curb leakages, and improve service delivery.
Business-Friendly Policies and Economic Impact
Comrade Adams’ innovative horizontal expansion of the tax base, as opposed to increasing tax rates, has created a business-friendly environment that encourages economic growth. This strategy has attracted companies to invest in the state. A typical example is the $50 million Soya Bean Oil Refining Plant investment by Sunagrow International Oil Limited.
Governor Uba Sani’s administration, under Adams’ guidance, has embraced a “Tax for Service” motto, with visible projects in road construction, education, and rural transformation demonstrating the tangible impact of increased revenue. Adam’s enforcement of tax compliance, such as addressing Kaduna Electric’s N600 million tax liability, reflects his unwavering commitment to equitable taxation without burdening the poor.
Jerry Adams brings over 23 years of professional experience as a seasoned tax administrator, chartered accountant, business development expert, and marketer. His appointment as Executive Chairman built upon his previous role as Executive Director of Corporate Services, where he demonstrated exceptional competence in revenue administration.
Building Interstate Collaboration
Adams’ expertise has gained recognition beyond Kaduna’s borders. In July 2024, the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service delegation visited KADIRS for a peer review engagement, with Adams promising to share necessary information to propel the sister agency’s performance. He has also hosted delegations from organizations like the Danube Institute, fostering knowledge-sharing and regional collaboration.
His collaboration with the Code of Conduct Bureau in June 2025 underscores his dedication to ethical standards within KADIRS, positioning Kaduna as a leader in innovative tax administration. This demonstrates the national significance of Kaduna’s revenue transformation model.
Addressing Contemporary Challenges
The KADIRS chairman has been transparent about the fiscal realities facing Nigerian states. He acknowledged that traditional revenue sources have dried up, necessitating out-of-the-box innovations to identify revenue potential and block leakages. This honest assessment has informed the strategic pivot toward technology-driven solutions.
The PayKaduna Portal specifically addresses taxpayer convenience, providing seamless payment processes across the state. This digital approach reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks while ensuring transparency in revenue collection and management.
Strategic Vision and Future Outlook
Adams’ leadership philosophy centers on fiscal transparency and accountability. The Cross-Systems approach embedded in Project CRAFT creates interconnected revenue administration processes, minimizing human interference and potential corruption while maximizing collection efficiency.
His strategic focus on data analytics represents a paradigm shift from traditional tax administration methods. By leveraging technology, KADIRS can identify previously untapped revenue sources, track compliance patterns, and provide predictive insights for policy formulation.
Impact on Governance
The revenue transformation under Adams’ leadership has broader implications for Kaduna State’s development trajectory. Increased IGR provides the state government with greater fiscal autonomy and capacity to fund critical infrastructure and social programs without excessive dependence on federal allocations.
The initiatives leverage advanced data analytics and automation to enhance revenue collection, curb leakages, and improve service delivery, creating a multiplier effect that benefits citizens through improved public services.
Looking Ahead
As KADIRS pursues its ambitious N112 billion target for 2025, Adams’ leadership continues to emphasize sustainable revenue growth through innovation and stakeholder engagement. The success story of Kaduna’s revenue transformation offers valuable lessons for other states seeking to optimize their internally generated revenue.
Under Comrade Jerry Adams’ stewardship, KADIRS has evolved from a conventional tax collection agency into a modern, technology-driven revenue administration system. This transformation positions Kaduna State as a model for fiscal innovation in Nigeria’s evolving economic landscape, demonstrating that strategic leadership and technological adoption can overcome traditional revenue challenges.
The journey ahead promises continued innovation as Adams and his team work toward making Kaduna a reference point for efficient, transparent, and citizen-friendly revenue administration across Nigeria.
