Rivers State generated ₦317.3 billion in internally generated revenue during 2024, a figure that positions it as Nigeria’s second-largest contributor after Lagos. This achievement reflects the state’s strategic role in the nation’s economy, driven primarily by its oil and gas sector.
As someone who has watched Rivers navigate the complexities of resource-dependent development, I view this revenue stream as both a boon and a call to action. The breakdown of these sources reveals strengths in taxation and enterprise earnings, offering pathways for sustainable progress if harnessed wisely.
The core of Rivers State’s IGR lies in two primary categories: tax revenues and collections from ministries, departments, and agencies. Tax revenues dominate, accounting for over 95 percent of the total, with ₦186.96 billion reported in the prior year as a benchmark. Pay As You Earn (PAYE) stands out as the largest component, capturing income taxes from salaried workers across oil firms and service industries.
In 2023, PAYE alone contributed substantially to the state’s ₦195.41 billion total, highlighting the high-earning workforce in Port Harcourt and surrounding areas. Direct assessments and road taxes follow, targeting businesses and vehicle owners to fund local infrastructure. Stamp duties from legal transactions and withholding taxes on services add layers, ensuring broad-based collection.
Beyond taxes, revenues from ministries, departments, and agencies bring in the remaining share, totaling ₦8.45 billion in 2023. These funds stem from state-owned enterprises, licenses issued for oil exploration, and fees from regulatory bodies overseeing gas processing.
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The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service plays a pivotal role here, streamlining collections through digital platforms introduced in recent years. Multinational oil companies, which operate refineries and export terminals, pay royalties and levies that bolster this segment. Such contributions underscore Rivers’s position as a hub for energy investments.
This structure empowers Rivers to invest in roads, hospitals, and education without overreliance on federal allocations. The 2024 surge, up from ₦172.82 billion in 2022, signals effective reforms under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who boosted monthly collections from ₦12 billion to ₦27 billion through enhanced compliance measures.
Yet, this oil-centric model exposes vulnerabilities to global price swings and environmental regulations. Diversifying into agriculture, tourism, and tech could stabilize inflows. Imagine agro-processing hubs leveraging the state’s fertile lands or eco-tourism drawing visitors to the Niger Delta’s waterways.
In my opinion, Rivers State’s IGR success story inspires other regions to prioritize efficient administration and innovation. By expanding non-oil sources, the state can build resilience, ensuring prosperity reaches every community. The numbers tell a tale of potential realized, but true leadership demands bold steps toward inclusive growth.
