By Eshioromeh Sebastian
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has signed into law the Edo State Revenue Consolidation Account (Establishment and Operation) Law, 2026, effectively banning all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from operating separate revenue accounts.
The legislation, which was passed by the Edo State House of Assembly on July 21, 2026, following its third reading during plenary in Benin, establishes a unified framework for the collection, management, and accounting of all state revenues through a single Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) account.
Under the new law, every MDA in the state is required to disclose all revenue bank accounts held in its name, transfer all balances into the approved IGR account, and close all revenue bank accounts within 14 days of the notice.
The legislation repeals all existing laws, regulations, and administrative directives that previously permitted MDAs and parastatals to collect, retain, or maintain separate revenue accounts . This move is designed to plug revenue leakages that have long hampered the state’s fiscal position.
The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has been designated as the sole authority legally empowered to coordinate the enforcement of the state’s revenue laws, including the engagement of revenue agents and consultants for efficient collection and administration.
The law imposes strict penalties on erring officials. Any Head of MDA, Accounting Officer, Director of Finance, Bursar, Treasurer, or other public officer who fails to comply with the provisions shall face immediate suspension pending investigation.
The legislation also establishes joint liability for unauthorized collection, diversion, or withholding of government revenue. Where such violations occur, the Head of the relevant MDA, along with any officer who authorized or facilitated the unlawful activity, shall be subject to investigation and sanctions.
Officials are also required to submit comprehensive revenue statements and supporting records dating back to January 1, 2025, to the Ministry of Finance, the Auditor-General, and EIRS for a full revenue audit.
EIRS Takes Full Control
The new law empowers the EIRS to oversee all revenue collection activities and requires that all payments be processed via the Edo Revenue Administration System (ERAS) . It mandates that:
· MDAs must cease independent revenue enforcement activities without EIRS Chairman approval
· All consultants engaged by MDAs must be regularized with EIRS within 60 days
· No MDA may initiate or utilize Mobile Courts for revenue enforcement without EIRS collaboration with the Edo State Judiciary
The legislation comes amid broader tax reforms and follows the EIRS recording N79 billion in Internally Generated Revenue so far in 2025, with N52.6 billion raised in the first half alone—a 46 percent increase over previous periods.
In a statement, the Edo State Government reiterated that the law aligns with the new Tax Reforms and the state’s commitment to leveraging technology for sustainable development.
The government emphasized that the EIRS is solely responsible for driving and supervising all revenue collection in the state, and that the new framework aims to safeguard citizens against exploitation in all its forms.
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