The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has begun a nationwide data verification to ensure accurate data for equitable revenue distribution among states and LGAs.
This was revealed on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi, as Prof. Adekunle Wright, an RMAFC commissioner who led the delegation, inaugurated the exercise.
Building on this, Wright described the exercise as a critical national assignment that would strengthen the integrity of the indices used to distribute revenue across the federation.
He further emphasised that the exercise aligns with the commission’s constitutional mandate under Paragraph 32(b) of Part I of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution, which empowers it to continuously review the revenue allocation formula.
Wright continued, explaining that changing socio-economic realities – including population shifts, infrastructure expansion, and evolving development needs – make it essential to periodically verify and update the data underpinning revenue allocation.
He added, “It has become necessary to validate the integrity and accuracy of the data that inform revenue distribution across the federation.”
In recognition of collaboration, Wright commended the state government for its warm reception and lauded the commission’s coordination efforts, particularly those of Kebbi’s Commissioner for Finance, Hajiya Rakiya Tanko-Ayuba.
He also recalled that in 2022, the commission conducted a nationwide capacity-building programme to equip state and local government officials with skills in data gathering and management for computing revenue allocation indices.
Since the team’s arrival in Kebbi, the RMAFC team has been working closely with ministries, departments, agencies, and local government authorities to ensure credible data verification and collection.
Wright stressed that, as the exercise moves forward, its success depends largely on state and local government cooperation, and he urged all relevant departments to be fully mobilised and sensitised.
He noted that the outcome would have significant implications for both Kebbi State and the federation. Reaffirming the commission’s commitment, he stressed professionalism, transparency, and objectivity.
“We have carefully selected and trained our teams to carry out this assignment with the highest level of integrity, in line with national and international best practices,” he said.
In his remarks, Kebbi Deputy Governor Sen. Abubakar Umar-Tafida assured the commission that the state government fully supports the exercise.
Umar-Tafida said the government will provide all necessary data and logistics to ensure the exercise’s success.
He added that members of the State Executive Council and heads of ministries, departments, and agencies have gathered to understand the exercise’s requirements and offer full cooperation.
The deputy governor emphasised that data drives development planning and governance.
“Data plays a critical role in our quest for sustainable development and improved livelihoods for our people.”
“We will continue to provide the necessary support to ensure the success of this important national assignment,” he said.
