Nigeria's revenue allocation formula review reaches advanced stage with nationwide data verification
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission announced that the review of Nigeria’s revenue allocation formula is in an advanced stage, with a nationwide data verification exercise now underway. According to Maryam Yusuf, Head of Information and Public Relations Unit, this exercise aims to update the indices used for revenue sharing across the federation. Commission Chairman Mohammed Shehu stated that accurate data is crucial for fairness, equity, and national cohesion, emphasizing the goal of building a transparent and responsive revenue distribution system. The verification will review factors and proxies used in revenue sharing among states and local governments to align allocations with current socio-economic conditions, strengthening fiscal federalism and national development planning. The exercise involves collecting, validating, and reconciling socio-economic and infrastructural data across all states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on indicators like education, healthcare, internally generated revenue, and infrastructure development. Stakeholder engagement sessions will be held in each state to promote transparency and collaboration. Shehu noted that Nigeria's revenue allocation framework relies on indices such as population, landmass, infrastructure, and socio-economic indicators, which require periodic review due to significant transformations like population growth, infrastructure expansion, and urbanization. The data verification is critic
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