The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has launched an investigation into alleged multiple taxation affecting businesses and residents across the state, amid concerns that overlapping revenue demands could undermine commercial activity and discourage investment.
The issue was raised during plenary by Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazi as a matter of public importance. Ogazi told lawmakers that business operators had complained about paying multiple taxes, citing the case of a private school proprietor who reportedly claimed to be paying as many as 23 different taxes.
The lawmaker argued that the situation was adding to the economic pressure faced by residents and businesses and called for intervention by the relevant authorities.
Responding to the matter, the Speaker of the Assembly, Dr Danladi Jatau, acknowledged the negative effect of multiple taxation on businesses and livelihoods in the state. He urged the Nasarawa State Government to ensure the full implementation of the State Revenue Harmonisation Law as a means of preventing duplication in revenue collection.
The Assembly subsequently constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate revenue collection activities across Nasarawa State. The committee is expected to determine the number of consultants involved in revenue collection and assess the level of compliance with the state’s Revenue Harmonisation Law.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Hudu A. Hudu, includes Hon. Daniel Ogazi, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho and Dr Hajara Danyaro Ibrahim, while Mr Aluma Joseph, Secretary of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, will serve as secretary.
The Speaker further directed the committee to examine revenue collection in the Mararaba axis of Karu Local Government Area and surrounding border communities. Particular attention will be given to determining whether businesses and residents in those areas are paying revenue to Nasarawa State or another jurisdiction. The committee has been given two weeks to submit its findings.
The investigation comes against the backdrop of Nigeria’s broader challenge of coordinating tax collection among different levels of government. Multiple taxation can arise when businesses face overlapping statutory charges from federal, state and local authorities or from different collection bodies within the same jurisdiction.
Nasarawa’s existing Revenue Harmonisation Law provides a legal framework for administering state taxes and other revenues through the Nasarawa State Internal Revenue Service. The legislation is intended to provide clearer coordination of revenue administration and reduce duplication in the state’s collection system.
The Assembly’s inquiry will therefore be significant for both businesses and government revenue administration. While taxation remains essential to funding public services and development, lawmakers have indicated that revenue collection should not become an unnecessary burden on legitimate economic activity.
The outcome of the committee’s investigation is expected to provide clearer information on the scale of multiple taxation in Nasarawa, the role of revenue consultants and the extent to which the existing harmonisation framework is being implemented.
Nasarawa State House of Assembly investigates alleged multiple taxation of businesses, examining revenue collection practices and implementation of the Revenue Harmonisation Law.