Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the newly commissioned 11-storey headquarters of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS) as one of the most beautiful edifices he has seen in Nigeria.
Shettima made the remark on Thursday during the commissioning of the multi-storey facility in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, where he commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what he described as notable infrastructure development across the state.
The Vice President was taken on a tour of the facility by the Executive Chairman of KWIRS, Engr. Shade Omoniyi, who highlighted the building’s facilities and its expected impact on the agency’s operations and service delivery.
According to Omoniyi, the new headquarters is designed to centralise the agency’s core operations in one location, improve coordination among departments, reduce logistics challenges and cut the cost associated with maintaining multiple offices, while retaining area offices to ensure accessibility for taxpayers across the state.
The project, which was groundbreaking on February 23, 2023, was conceived to enhance operational efficiency, interdepartmental collaboration and service delivery.
The KWIRS chairman said the project was fully funded through internally generated savings achieved by eliminating what the agency described as opaque and excessive consultancy fees.
She said the cost-saving measures had generated more than ₦3.9 billion in savings by the end of 2022, with the funds subsequently reinvested into the construction of the headquarters.
According to her, the project was executed amid economic challenges and rising construction costs through prudent financial management and disciplined implementation.
The 11-storey edifice comprises 10 office floors dedicated to the agency’s core operations, while two floors are allocated to banking premises for financial transactions.
The building also houses a conference hall for major engagements and a training room designed to support continuous staff development.
Other facilities include a café with a sit-out area, a gymnasium and a crèche to support staff welfare and work-life balance.
The facility is partially powered by solar energy for essential services and has parking capacity for approximately 150 vehicles.
The agency said the centralisation of its operations would provide taxpayers with a one-stop service environment, reduce referral times and improve the speed and efficiency of service delivery.
It added that dedicated engagement spaces would also enhance interaction between the agency, taxpayers, businesses and other stakeholders.
The facility is also expected to provide opportunities for multimedia content production, including educational podcasts, broadcasts and digital campaigns, while creating potential alternative revenue streams through commercial productions.
According to KWIRS, bringing core departments together under one roof would strengthen interdepartmental collaboration, eliminate unnecessary movement between offices and improve productivity.
The agency said the inclusion of facilities such as the gymnasium, crèche and training room was intended to promote staff wellness, work-life balance and continuous professional development.
The new facility also forms part of KWIRS’ broader rebranding strategy, which introduced the agency’s updated brand name, “KWIRS,” alongside the slogan, “It Pays to Pay Your Tax.”
The agency said the rebranding was designed to promote a tax culture based on trust, transparency and shared responsibility, while helping taxpayers better understand the connection between their contributions and public services.