A high-level delegation from the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has arrived in Taraba State to begin a critical data verification exercise. Led by Adamu Fanda, the Federal Commissioner representing Kano State, the mission is part of a national effort to modernize the framework used to distribute wealth among Nigeria’s federal, state, and local governments.
The Need for a Review
During a briefing on Monday, Commissioner Fanda explained that the current indices used for revenue sharing no longer reflect the nation’s shifting socio-economic reality. He highlighted several factors that have made the existing data obsolete:
- Population Growth: Massive shifts in demographics across states since the last major review.
- Infrastructural Expansion: New developments that require updated fiscal support.
- Development Gaps: Widening economic disparities that necessitate a more equitable distribution of national resources.
“The current revenue allocation formula has reached an advanced stage,” Fanda noted, stressing that the integrity of the new formula depends entirely on the accuracy of the data collected during this field exercise.
State Support and Strategic Recommendations
The delegation will spend the coming days collaborating with Taraba’s Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and local government authorities to ensure the data captured reflects the state’s current needs.
Governor Agbu Kefas, in his reception of the team, pledged full state cooperation, including:
- Security & Logistics: Providing a safe environment and hospitality for the visiting officials.
- Capacity Building: The Governor recommended that the RMAFC organize specialized workshops and training sessions for state stakeholders. This, he argued, would clarify the commission’s expectations and help states better align their reporting for maximum effectiveness.
National Implications
The outcome of this verification exercise is expected to have far-reaching impacts on how the federation account is split. As Nigeria grapples with high inflation and regional security challenges, states like Taraba are advocating for a formula that accounts for their unique developmental and security burdens.
The RMAFC delegation is scheduled to visit several key sites and hold stakeholder engagements across the state before moving to the next phase of the national verification tour. This exercise comes at a pivotal time as the 2027 election cycle approaches, making the “fairness and equity” of resource distribution a central topic of political discourse.
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