Uphold True Federalism, RMAFC Independence, Okowa Tells NASS On Revenue Allocation
DELTA State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the National Assembly to ensure that the ongoing constitutional amendment includes true federalism and grants full independence to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He made the call during a nationwide sensitization meeting on revenue allocation held at Government House, Asaba.
Okowa emphasized that RMAFC must operate independently by presenting its revenue allocation proposals directly to the National Assembly, instead of going through the President. He noted that since 1992, the revenue formula has not been reviewed because no President has forwarded RMAFC’s recommendations to Parliament.
He commended RMAFC for consulting states ahead of the zonal review and stressed that the current process weakens the commission’s role. “For true federalism, the RMAFC chairman should be empowered to lay proposals directly before the National Assembly, so they cannot be blocked,” Okowa said.
Highlighting the importance of fairness, he added that states and local governments—being closest to the people—should receive a larger share of revenue to effectively meet their development needs. Okowa expressed concern that sub-national governments are often underfunded and struggle to pay salaries, which stifles local development.
Delta’s RMAFC Commissioner, Andrew Agbaga, praised Governor Okowa’s achievements in education, infrastructure, and youth programs. Agbaga explained that the revenue allocation formula, meant to be reviewed every five years, has gone unchanged for nearly 30 years despite changes in Nigeria’s political structure and new challenges like climate change and security.
Currently, the revenue sharing stands at 52.6% for the federal government, 26.7% for states, and 20.6% for local governments. Agbaga revealed that RMAFC aims to finalize new recommendations by December for submission to the President.
Delta’s Finance Commissioner, Fidelis Tilije, noted the state’s unique challenges with its large riverine areas and high infrastructure costs. He urged RMAFC to factor in such realities when crafting a fair revenue allocation formula.
Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the National Assembly to ensure that the ongoing constitutional amendment includes true federalism and grants full independence to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC). He made the call during a nationwide sensitization meeting on revenue allocation held at Government House, Asaba.
Okowa emphasized that RMAFC must operate independently by presenting its revenue allocation proposals directly to the National Assembly, instead of going through the President. He noted that since 1992, the revenue formula has not been reviewed because no President has forwarded RMAFC’s recommendations to Parliament.
He commended RMAFC for consulting states ahead of the zonal review and stressed that the current process weakens the commission’s role. “For true federalism, the RMAFC chairman should be empowered to lay proposals directly before the National Assembly, so they cannot be blocked,” Okowa said.
Highlighting the importance of fairness, he added that states and local governments—being closest to the people—should receive a larger share of revenue to effectively meet their development needs. Okowa expressed concern that sub-national governments are often underfunded and struggle to pay salaries, which stifles local development.
Delta’s RMAFC Commissioner, Andrew Agbaga, praised Governor Okowa’s achievements in education, infrastructure, and youth programs. Agbaga explained that the revenue allocation formula, meant to be reviewed every five years, has gone unchanged for nearly 30 years despite changes in Nigeria’s political structure and new challenges like climate change and security.
Currently, the revenue sharing stands at 52.6% for the federal government, 26.7% for states, and 20.6% for local governments. Agbaga revealed that RMAFC aims to finalize new recommendations by December for submission to the President.
Delta’s Finance Commissioner, Fidelis Tilije, noted the state’s unique challenges with its large riverine areas and high infrastructure costs. He urged RMAFC to factor in such realities when crafting a fair revenue allocation formula.
