Delta State has recorded a major fiscal milestone as its Delta IGR rose from about ₦84 billion in 2023 to over ₦200 billion, representing a growth of more than 138 per cent, with the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) commending Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s economic diversification strategy.
Key Highlights
- Delta IGR increased from ₦84 billion in 2023 to over ₦200 billion.
- Revenue growth represents an increase of more than 138 per cent.
- RMAFC commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s economic diversification initiatives.
- State says growth was achieved without increasing personal income tax.
- Agriculture, industrialisation and improved tax administration identified as key drivers.
- Kwale Industrial Park and maritime sector revival expected to boost investments.
- RMAFC urges Delta State to sustain its economic transformation agenda.
The achievement was highlighted on Monday in Asaba when a delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) visited the state to assess its economic diversification and revenue generation initiatives.
Commissioner for Economic Planning, Mr. Sunny Ekedayen, said the Oborevwori administration had deliberately repositioned the state’s economy by investing in agriculture, industrialisation, innovation and other non-oil sectors to reduce dependence on oil revenue.
He disclosed that the remarkable increase in Delta IGR was achieved without raising personal income tax rates, attributing the success to an expanded tax base, improved tax administration, stronger compliance and more efficient revenue collection mechanisms.
According to Ekedayen, agriculture has become a major pillar of the state’s diversification programme through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), with the government providing land while private investors contribute capital, technology and expertise for the large-scale cultivation of crops such as cassava and oil palm.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije, said the government was strengthening industrialisation through strategic infrastructure investments.
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He revealed that the Kwale Industrial Park would soon become fully operational with improved power supply to attract local and foreign investors.
Tilije added that the state government was also collaborating with the Federal Government to revive commercial activities at the Warri and Forcados ports, a move expected to stimulate maritime trade and economic growth.
Leader of the RMAFC delegation, Mr. Victor Eboigbe, described Nigeria’s heavy dependence on oil revenue as unsustainable and praised Delta State for pursuing a deliberate economic diversification agenda.
He said the assessment exercise aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and commended Governor Oborevwori for implementing policies aimed at building a resilient, competitive and sustainable economy.
The Federal Commissioner representing Delta State in RMAFC, Hon. Aruviere Martins Egwarhevwa, explained that the visit formed part of the commission’s constitutional responsibility to evaluate states’ diversification efforts and strengthen collaboration on fiscal sustainability.
The delegation expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Delta State and encouraged the government to sustain the momentum in expanding internally generated revenue and promoting long-term economic development.
