The Northern Nigeria Youth for Transparency in Governance (NNYTG) has commended the Executive Chairman of Borno State Internal Revenue Service (BOIRS), Prof. Bello Alhaji Ibrahim, for his outstanding reforms in the state’s revenue system.
The youth advocacy group described Prof. Bello’s efforts as a “remarkable and innovative transformation” that has significantly improved internally generated revenue without introducing new taxes or increasing existing ones.
In a statement signed by its national coordinator, Usman Abba, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, the group praised Prof. Bello for his commitment to transparency, modernization, and civic engagement in the aftermath of insurgency that had devastated the region.
“Prof. Bello’s leadership has doubled Borno’s revenue base within two years. This was achieved not by burdening citizens with more taxes, but through innovation, digitisation and strategic public enlightenment,” the statement read.
Appointed by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, Prof. Bello, a renowned academic with expertise in taxation and monetary policy, is credited with steering the BOIRS towards a self-sustaining revenue model.
The group highlighted that under Bello’s leadership, outdated enforcement-based revenue collection methods have been replaced with citizen-focused strategies anchored on communication and persuasion.
“Rather than coercion, he chose communication. Through sustained media engagement and awareness campaigns, he helped the people of Borno understand that tax is a civic responsibility vital to rebuilding our state,” Abba said.
Among the reforms implemented are the deployment of digital platforms to reduce leakages, automate collections, and improve accountability across revenue-generating agencies. These measures, according to NNYTG, have minimized wastages and reduced opportunities for corruption.
“Prof. Bello is not only faithfully executing Governor Zulum’s revenue reform blueprint, but he is also restoring public trust in institutions and proving that informed leadership from the academic community can deliver tangible progress,” the statement added.
NNYTG, a non-partisan group advocating for transparency and youth participation in governance, urged Prof. Bello to sustain the momentum and serve as a model for other states in the North-East and across Nigeria.
“We salute his patriotism, professionalism, and progressive vision. He is a worthy ambassador of the academic community and a key ally in Borno’s post-insurgency recovery,” Abba said.
