RMAFC Begins Nationwide Data Verification for Review of Revenue Allocation

The Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission has commenced a nationwide data verification exercise to strengthen Nigeria’s revenue allocation framework. A statement released by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit of the Commission, MARYAM UMAR YUSUF, indicates that region-by-region data verification will hold across all thirty-six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory. YUSUF states that the exercise will involve systematic collection, validation, and reconciliation of critical socio-economic and infrastructural data used in determining revenue allocation to the tiers of government. She further stated that the verification will focus on key indicators, such as education, healthcare provision, internal revenue generation capacity, and infrastructure development across the states and local government areas. Stakeholder engagement sessions will also be conducted in each state to ensure transparency, build trust, and promote collaborative participation among government agencies and local communities The statement quoted the Chairman of the RMAFC, MOHAMMED BELLO SHEHU, saying that the nationwide data verification exercise will strengthen fiscal federalism and enhance national development planning across the country. Dr. SHEHU called on state governments, local authorities, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, and community leaders to provide full cooperation to the Commission’s verification teams. He maintained that accurate data remains the backbone of fairness, equity, and national cohesion, adding that outcomes of the exercise will have far-reaching implications for national planning, fiscal management, and balanced regional development. “This nationwide exercise represents our determination to build a more transparent and responsive revenue distribution system that serves the interests of all Nigerians,” the chairman stated. Dr. SHEHU explained that Nigeria’s revenue allocation framework relies on specific indices, including those of population, landmass, infrastructure, and socio-economic development indicators, all of which must be periodically reviewed to reflect changing realities. “Over time, Nigeria has witnessed significant socio-economic transformations marked by population growth, expansion of infrastructure, urbanisation, and widening development gaps among regions. These evolving realities necessitate the validation of existing datasets to ensure fairness, transparency, and equity in revenue sharing,” he stated. He further disclosed that the current review of the national revenue allocation formula has reached an advanced stage, making the data verification exercise a critical step in safeguarding the integrity and reliability of the indices that will underpin future allocations. According to him, the Commission’s verification teams will engage extensively with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local government authorities and community stakeholders across the federation, to ensure that all relevant data reflects present-day conditions.