News
Plateau State Charts New Course for Tax Reforms with Landmark Summit on Land and Property Administration
Plateau State has taken a bold step toward transforming its internally generated revenue (IGR) system by convening a two-day Tax Summit focused on property and land administration. The summit, which ended on Friday, August 22, 2025, brought together top government officials, legal experts, technocrats, development partners, and community leaders to address long-standing challenges in domestic resource mobilization.
The event, themed “Unlocking Domestic Resources: Strengthening the Administration of Property and Land-Related Taxes in Plateau State,” emphasized the centrality of land as a driver of sustainable revenue.
Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, represented by the Secretary to the Government, Arch. Samuel N. Jatau, stressed that the summit was about redefining governance and renewing the social contract between the government and citizens.
“Land is one of our greatest assets, yet it remains underutilized in driving development. What we are doing with this summit is to set a new tone—that Plateau must look inward, harness its resources, and build a transparent system of taxation that benefits every citizen. Property and land taxes are not punishments; they are contributions toward building a state we are proud to call home,” he said.
The governor pledged reforms to harmonize land administration, expand the tax net, and enforce fairness. He noted that a transparent and predictable tax regime would inspire citizens’ compliance under the Plateau Project vision.
Data presented at the summit revealed staggering underperformance: though NASA surveys identified over one million buildings across the state, only about 14,000 are currently within the tax net—just 1.4 percent of the total stock.
Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, Executive Chairman of the Plateau State Internal Revenue Service (PSIRS), described the situation as a “medical emergency,” comparing revenue to the lifeblood of government. “Plateau has been operating with just six pints of blood when it could easily have seven or more,” he said.
Legal experts highlighted the need to bridge the gap between statutory land laws and customary tenure systems. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Philemon Audu Daffi, noted that the challenge was not the absence of laws, but fragmentation in Nigeria’s land administration.
The Plateau Geographic Information Service (PLAGIS), represented by Mr. Sunday Bulus, showcased how digital property mapping and spatial data could automate identification, valuation, billing, and collection. Property owners, he explained, could soon receive tax notices via SMS or email and pay electronically.
“Data has become the new oil. The question is: how do we harness it to generate wealth? That is why we are here,” Dr. Wayas emphasized.
International case studies were also presented, including Sierra Leone’s reforms in property taxation and comparative research in Kaduna, Niger, and Ekiti States that attracted interest from the Gates Foundation.
A key highlight of the summit was the inauguration of an Implementation Committee chaired by the Attorney General. A seven-point action plan was adopted to address:
- Harmonization of land tenure systems.
- Capacity building for local governments.
- Data-driven revenue forecasting.
- Technology integration across agencies.
- Community sensitization.
- Objective property valuation reforms.
- Updates to legal frameworks.
Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Town Planning, Hon. Peter Nyam Gei, assured that the reforms would simplify processes and eliminate harassment. “Once you are given a demand notice and make your payment, that’s it—you are done,” he said.
The second day of the summit examined the performance of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) under the theme “Appraising the Revenue Performance of MDAs and the Way Forward.” Governor Mutfwang was represented by the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Jatau Davou Gyang.
A five-year review revealed poor performance between 2020 and 2022, with improvements in 2023 when Plateau achieved 102 percent of its revenue target and raised IGR contributions to 34 percent. Performance reached 62 percent in 2024, but mid-year 2025 data showed worrying trends: only 13.4 percent of MDAs had met at least half their targets, 63.4 percent performed below 25 percent, and 17.1 percent recorded no revenue at all.
Top-performing MDAs included the Ministry of Information & Communication (1,243.76%), Ministry of Justice (729.43%), Jos Main Market Authority (428.96%), and Plateau State Scholarship Board (125%). Underperformers included the Ministries of Agriculture, Science and Technology, ICT Development Agency, and Health.
Recommendations put forward included setting realistic targets, diversifying revenue sources, deepening automation, quarterly performance reviews, and rewarding high-performing MDAs.
Summit participants expressed optimism that Plateau’s reforms could serve as a model for other states amid shrinking federal allocations.
“This is not a talk-shop. We are moving beyond rhetoric to action,” one participant declared, as the summit closed with renewed commitment to building a fair, predictable, and transparent taxation system that underpins sustainable governance and development.
USA-based sprinter Blessing Ogundiran overcame travel disruptions and an exhausting four-day journey from the United States to emerge as Nigeria’s fastest woman after winning the women’s 100m title at the Commonwealth Games Trials in Lagos on Monday.
Competing at the Yaba College of Technology Sports Complex, Ogundiran produced a brilliant run of 11.12 seconds (-0.5m/s) to claim victory in a highly competitive final and secure the national crown.
Read Also: President Federation Cup: FC Robo Queens Eye Historic Final Spot Against Heartland Queens in Benin
The newly crowned champion revealed after the race that her preparation for the event was far from ideal, having endured a lengthy trip caused by weather-related challenges in the United States.
“It was a tough time getting here after traveling for almost four days due to what happened in the US (storm), but I am grateful to God that I am going back with the title,” Ogundiran said.
She added that the advice from her coach before the race played a key role in helping her stay composed under pressure.
“When I was at the start block, I was thinking of what my coach told me—that I should just execute my race and not panic—and that was exactly what I did.”
Ogundiran was pushed all the way by the impressive Miracle Ezechukwu, who clocked a personal best of 11.15 seconds to finish second.
Her performance also earned her qualification for the Ben Aghazu Excellence in Athletics Prize, an initiative established to reward outstanding performances by home-based athletes.
Another USA-based sprinter, Olayinka Olajide, completed the podium places with a time of 11.28 seconds.
Ezechukwu’s remarkable run received special praise from Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Second Vice President, Akuchukwu Aghazu, the initiator of the Excellence in Athletics Prize.
“This is exactly what the Excellence in Athletics Prize was created to achieve – to inspire our athletes to push beyond limits and believe in their abilities,” Aghazu said.
“Seeing Miracle Ezechukwu achieve the benchmark with a personal best performance is rewarding. It shows that when athletes are given motivation and a platform to compete, they respond positively.”
Aghazu reiterated her commitment to supporting athletes based in Nigeria and hailed the overall quality of competition on display.
“Our home-based athletes are incredibly talented. They deserve recognition, encouragement and opportunities to excel.
The Excellence in Athletics Prize is about celebrating hard work, dedication and excellence, and today’s performances have justified that vision.”
Elsewhere, Olympian Chukwuebuka Enekwechi claimed the men’s shot put title with a throw of 21.46m, securing the national crown for the fifth consecutive time since representing Nigeria, while Oyesade Oyetayo won the men’s hammer throw with 65.07m.
The men’s 100m competition also gathered momentum, with Favour Ashe, Chidera Ezeakor, Fakorede Adekalu, Tejiri Godwin, and Enoch Adegoke all progressing to Tuesday’s semifinals and final after winning their respective heats.
In the 400m semifinals, top contenders including Patience Okon-George, IyanuOluwa Aderemi (51.86s PB), Taiwo Kudoro, Faith Ezechukwu, Jecinter Lawrence, and Becky Ebiyadi booked places in the women’s final.
In the men’s category, Emmanuel Ojeli, Sikiru Adeyemi, Victor Sampson, Samson Nathaniel, Victory Achakpoekri, and Tyler Johnson advanced to the final.
The final day of the trials will feature the men’s and women’s 200m finals, the 400m finals, as well as the 100m and 110m hurdles events.
The event attracted several athletics legends and stakeholders, including Mary Onyali, Solomon Ogba, Chief Malik Itiako Ikpokpo, Hameed Adio, Gloria Obajimi and Emilia Edet, who witnessed another memorable chapter in Nigeria’s growing athletics resurgence.
BY SUNDAY SAMUEL—The Ondo State Police Command under the proactive leadership of CP Felix Ohagwu psc, mnips, mspsp has successfully foiled two separate kidnap attempts in Owo Local Government Area of the State, rescuing all victims involved and forcing the fleeing criminals to abandon their mission following swift and coordinated security operations.
The incidents, which occurred within a few hours of each other on Sunday, 21st June, 2026, underscore the Command’s proactive operational readiness and the effectiveness of ongoing efforts aimed at combating kidnapping and other violent crimes across the State.
The first incident occurred at about 7:05 p.m. when the Police received a distress call indicating that a six-man armed kidnapping gang had stormed the residence of Pastor Taiwo Taiwo, Chairman of Ojana New Area, Owo, with the intention of abducting him. Acting promptly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer, B Division, Owo, mobilized and led a patrol team to the scene.
Upon arrival, the operatives encountered the armed assailants, leading to an exchange of gunfire. The superior tactical response and determination of the Police operatives forced the criminals to retreat into the surrounding bush, abandoning their plan. The intended victim and his family members were successfully rescued unharmed and subsequently relocated to a safer location for enhanced security and protection.
In a related development later that same night, at about 11:10 p.m., another armed gang attacked one Daniel Ologun, a 39-year-old resident of Gbegun Community along Alhaja Camp, off Housing Estate, Owo. During the attack, the victim sustained a gunshot wound to his left leg while the assailants forcefully took his wife, Mrs. Taibat Ologun, aged 34 years, and their two young children, aged four and two years respectively, into the bush.
Upon receiving information about the incident, the Police immediately launched a rescue operation. The rapid deployment of operatives and sustained pressure mounted on the fleeing kidnappers disrupted their movement and compelled them to abandon the Mr Daniel Ologun. In a coordinated search-and-rescue effort involving the Police and personnel of the Nigerian Army, Mrs. Ologun and her two children were later successfully rescued unhurt from the assailants who escaped with gunshot injurieat about 1:50 a.m.
The injured victim was promptly taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, where he is currently receiving medical attention and responding positively to treatment.
Meanwhile, joint security teams comprising Police operatives and military personnel have intensified bush-combing operations in the affected areas and adjoining forests with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects and dismantling any criminal hideouts within the axis. Efforts are ongoing to track down all members of the criminal gangs involved in the attacks and bring them to justice.
CP Felix Ohagwu, psc, mnips, mspsp, has directed that the rescued victims be immediately debriefed to obtain additional information that may assist ongoing investigations and intelligence-gathering efforts aimed at identifying and apprehending the fleeing suspects. Afterwhich all rescued victims be reunited with their families while ensuring that necessary security measures are put in place for their continued safety and well-being.
The CP commends the bravery and swift response of the operatives involved in both operations, as well as the support of the Nigerian Army and members of the public who provided timely information that aided the successful rescue missions.
The post Ondo Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts in Owo, Rescue Victims and Family Members appeared first on Business Today NG.
-
News4 days ago‘It’s in our constitution’ – NDC justifies anti-defection policy
-
News2 days ago
BREAKING: Ekiti 2026: ADC wins first polling unit
-
News3 days ago
APC council officials accuse Osun govt of fueling fresh political crises
-
News4 days ago
JUST IN: Shettima Visits NIPSS in Plateau for Assessment After Gunmen Attack
