The Kwara State Government has approved the constitution of a Stakeholders Committee to review and harmonize all taxes, levies, rates, and charges being paid as revenue in the state.

Speaking during the grand finale of the 2025 KW-IRS Tax Club Quiz Competition in Ilorin on Thursday, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KW-IRS), Shade Omoniyi, announced the formation of the committee.

She also disclosed that the state is set to align its tax laws with the newly enacted national tax framework and the proposed Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Bill 2025.

Omoniyi explained that the move is aimed at strengthening the legal and operational framework of the state's tax system, ensuring fairness, and fostering citizens' confidence in tax administration. She emphasized that KW-IRS is committed to building a fair, transparent, and efficient tax system that will promote compliance and public trust.

The KW-IRS Chairman appreciated Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his consistent investment in education and fiscal reforms, describing his leadership as visionary and results-driven. She noted that under the current administration, Kwara has recorded significant progress in fiscal performance.

She cited the BudgIT 2025 State of States Report which ranked the state 3rd nationwide in subnational fiscal performance from 10th in 2021 and 4th in 2023.

The revenue agency boss said that Kwara also achieved a 36 per cent year-on-year growth in internally generated revenue between 2023 and 2024, and is now the 5th least dependent state on federally distributed revenue.

"These feats are clear reflections of His Excellency's visionary leadership and prudent management style, which continue to inspire our collective drive for growth and accountability in public service", she said.

The KW-IRS boss lauded the Ministry of Education and Human Capital Development for its partnership in promoting tax education and civic responsibility among students, describing the initiative as vital to nurturing a tax-conscious generation.

Omoniyi urged students to remain focused and diligent, adding that the initiative is part of efforts to build a disciplined and tax-conscious generation ready to contribute to national development.

Head Corporate Affairs and Convener of the Tax Club Committee, Mrs Funmilola Oguntunbi, said the quiz competition is part of the agency's broader effort to promote financial literacy and awareness about taxation among young people.

She described the competition as one of the agency's proudest initiatives for building civic awareness among youths.

"The competition is not just about winning but about understanding how taxes fund national development. Through this, we are raising informed citizens who can meaningfully contribute to governance," she said.

She disclosed that the 2025 edition introduced computer-based testing, which improved participation across schools.

Shepherd School, Lafiagi, emerged as the overall winner with 20 points, followed by Government Secondary School, Lafiagi, and St. Anthony's Secondary School, Ilorin, which came second and third respectively.

N2.5 million, N1.5 million, and N1 million were awarded to the first, second, and third positions respectively, with consolation prizes for other participants.

Representing the Commissioner for Education, a director from the ministry, Mr Adeshina Salami, lauded the initiative and urged students to imbibe the culture of tax compliance and responsible citizenship.

Traditional rulers and education stakeholders were present at the event, which featured 99 participating schools drawn from across the state.

After rigorous preliminary and semi-final stages, six schools emerged for the grand finale.

The competition, organised under the agency's 5-Es Community Impact Programmes Enterprise, Energy, Education, Empowerment, and Environment.