The Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue (AKIRS), Sir Okon Okon, has stated that the Akwa Ibom State Tax Bills currently under consideration at the State House of Assembly will bring relief to the low income earners, promote small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs), as well as boost economic growth in the State.
Okon made the observation on Wednesday, 4th February, 2026 during a public hearing on three executive bills, namely, Akwa Ibom State Revenue Service and Administration Bill 2025; Akwa Ibom State Taxes and Levies Bill 2025; and Akwa Ibom State Betting and Lottery Regulatory Agency Bill 2025. Okon, who a Member of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, gave other benefits of the State Tax Bills to include elimination of multiple taxes, stoppage of road blocks for revenue collections, harmonization of tax collection, e.g. property tax, daily ticket, etc; and uniformity in tax admiration and rates across the Federation.
Others, he noted, are ease of doing business, exemptions and reduction in personal income tax for low income bracket, zero VAT on food, transport, health, education and rent; elimination of minimum tax on losses, and elimination of nuisance taxes.
Sir Okon said: "The tax reforms has brought a lot of good news to the people. One, what used to be multiple taxes, about 46 taxes between the the state and local governments, have been harmonized, under the bills, into nine taxes for all the State of the federation, not only Akwa Ibom. Two, for low-income earners, those who earn under N800,000 and below, have been completely exempted from Personal Income Tax, whereas last year, it was N300,000 and below".
Describing the old tax laws which came to an end on December 31st, 2025 as archaic and obsolete, he added, "Moreover, five items: food, health, education, rent, and mass transportation have been put at zero rate. That should bring a lot of relief to households. Then, there is digitization of tax processes for efficiency, transparency and accountability”.
The public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, chaired by Dr. Itorobong Etim. The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. KufreAbasi Edidem. Other lawmakers, including the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Asuquo Udo; Commissioner for Finance, Mr Emem Bob; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Development, Mr Linus Nkan; Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Anthony Luke; Chairman of NLC, Comrade Sunny James, CSOs, CITN, and ICAN, among others attended the meeting.
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