Cross River IGR Hits ₦60.9bn as Otu Govt Tightens Revenue Collection

Cross River State has recorded a major increase in its internally generated revenue, with the state government saying its local revenue rose to ₦60.9 billion in 2026.

The figure represents a significant increase from the ₦22.8 billion recorded between June 2020 and May 2023, when the state was making an average of about ₦1.9 billion every month.

Cross River Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Michael Odere, disclosed the figures in an interview in Calabar, saying the increase was largely driven by changes in the way the state collects and manages its revenue.

According to him, the state generated ₦36.3 billion between June 2023 and May 2024, while revenue increased further to ₦53.7 billion between June 2024 and May 2025.

By 2026, the figure had risen to ₦60.9 billion, representing an average monthly collection of about ₦5.1 billion.

Odere said one of the major problems previously affecting revenue collection was not necessarily the unwillingness of residents and businesses to pay taxes, but leakages created by the old manual collection system.

He explained that the government had introduced automation into its revenue and reporting processes to reduce such leakages and make it easier to track money collected by the state.

The Commissioner also said the state had moved from a cash-based accounting system to accrual accounting in line with International Public Sector Accounting Standards, IPSAS.

The reforms have also received support from the World Bank, particularly in areas including revenue strengthening, debt management and expenditure control across government ministries, departments and agencies.

Beyond revenue collection, the government said the reforms have helped it meet some outstanding financial obligations.

Odere disclosed that the state paid about ₦164 billion in domestic debt obligations between 2023 and 2025, while foreign debt exposure was also reduced through repayment of 19.6 million dollars in principal.

He added that more than ₦31 billion had been paid in pensions and gratuities, including some outstanding obligations dating back to 2002.

The state also reportedly settled ₦16.5 billion owed to contractors and paid more than ₦5 billion in judgment debts.

The Commissioner further disclosed that Cross River recovered over ₦59 billion from the Federal Government from previous miscalculations and other outstanding claims.

The revenue increase comes as Cross River continues to push for more digital and transparent tax administration.

The Cross River Internal Revenue Service has also been promoting online tax services, including online filing, taxpayer identification registration and electronic payment, as part of efforts to make tax administration easier for residents and businesses.

For ordinary Cross River residents, however, the bigger question will be how the increased revenue translates into better roads, healthcare, education, water supply and other services.

The state government says the additional revenue is helping it strengthen its finances and provide the resources needed for infrastructure development and other government programmes.

The latest figures therefore represent not just an increase in money coming into the state, but a test of whether improved revenue collection can eventually translate into more visible development across Calabar and communities across the state.