2026 NDVE: Accurate Data Will Strengthen Revenue Allocation - Dr Hauwa Nuru

- RMFAC Commends State's Infrastructure 

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commenced the 2026 Nationwide Data Verification Exercise (NDVE) in Kwara State, with a call for accurate, current and verifiable data to promote fairness, transparency and equity in revenue allocation among the three tiers of government.

The exercise commenced with an opening meeting between the RMAFC team from Abuja and the Kwara State Government in Ilorin.

Welcoming the delegation, the Kwara State Commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, conveyed the warm greetings of the Executive Governor of the State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, to the RMAFC delegation and expressed the State Government's appreciation for the Commission's commitment to strengthening the integrity and accuracy of data used in revenue allocation.

Dr Nuru noted that the exercise was important to ensuring that revenue allocation decisions were based on credible evidence and reflected the realities of individual states and local governments.

She explained that the exercise covers the verification of data relating to public primary and secondary schools, healthcare facilities, as well as the internally generated revenue of the State and Local Governments, including relevant figures for the 2022/2023 and 2024/2025 periods.

According to her, reliable and verifiable data would help promote fairness and equity in the distribution of revenue across the federation.

The Commissioner assured the RMAFC team that Kwara State is ready to provide the necessary institutional support, relevant information and cooperation required for the successful completion of the exercise.

She assured the team of the State Government's readiness to work with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Local Governments, to ensure that the data submitted accurately reflected the situation on the ground.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Dr Lawal Olohungbebe, said Kwara State's strategic location made reliable data collection particularly important for effective planning and development.

He stressed the importance of accurate and verifiable information in determining the appropriate resources due to the State and Local Governments, noting that stakeholders had experienced revenue shortfalls for a long period.

Dr Olohungbebe expressed the State Government's readiness to collaborate with the Commission to ensure that all relevant information required for the exercise is made available.

The Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Mrs Shade Omoniyi, who was represented by Mr Mohammed Audu, appreciated RMAFC for undertaking the exercise and reiterated the importance of accurate data to the State's revenue drive and fiscal planning.

Similarly, the State Accountant-General, Mallam AbdulGaniyu Sani, represented by the Deputy Accountant-General, Hajia Mariam Raji, thanked the Commission for the exercise and assured the delegation of maximum cooperation from the State Treasury.

Speaking on behalf of RMAFC, the Team Lead, Hon. Kabir Muhammad Mashi, said the Commission was undertaking the exercise as part of its constitutional mandate to periodically review revenue allocation principles and ensure that they reflected current realities.

He explained that the RMAFC team was in Kwara State as part of a critical assignment involving States where the verification exercise was due, stressing the need for reasonable, accurate and current data.

According to him, credible data would assist in ensuring that States receive the appropriate revenue allocation due to them from the Federation.

He said the Commission needed to collect accurate and up-to-date information on schools, healthcare facilities, internally generated revenue and other relevant areas to strengthen the revenue allocation process.

Hon. Mashi also called on the State Government and relevant MDAs to work closely with the team and provide a conducive environment for the exercise.

He commended the Kwara State Government for its infrastructural development efforts and good road network, noting that the State's projects were also targeted at empowering youths, women and the general public.

He assured the State Government of RMAFC's continued support and cooperation.

In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Mallam Folorunsho AbdulRasaq, appreciated the RMAFC delegation for making time to visit Kwara State and commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the Team Lead for supporting the exercise.

He stressed the importance of continued support from the Commission, noting that the State Government could not achieve its objectives alone.

He also appreciated members of the State Secretariat and other officials involved in the exercise, stressing that data submitted by Kwara State should accurately reflect the outcome of the verification exercise.

Mallam AbdulRasaq further appreciated the Commissioner for Finance for her support to the staff and the successful coordination of the State's participation in the exercise.

The RMAFC delegation later visited the newly commissioned office of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), the Ilorin Innovation Hub and the Kwara State Garment Factory in Ilorin as part of the verification exercise.

Also visited were some sampled Primary Schools and Secondary Schools as well as health facilities across the three senatorial districts.

The 2026 Nationwide Data Verification Exercise is expected to provide the Commission with reliable and current data necessary to support a fair, transparent and equitable revenue allocation framework that reflects present-day realities across the country.

Babatunde Toyin Abdulrasheed

Press Secretary

Kwara State Ministry of Finance

08032198900