Benue tax boss urges AI adoption to track revenue, curb leakages

The Chairman of the Benue State Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Joseph Kwaghgba, has urged governments to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to improve revenue collection, strengthen accountability and curb financial leakages in public institutions.

Kwaghgba said AI-powered systems could help governments forecast revenue, identify missing funds, detect irregularities in financial transactions and improve tax compliance by identifying individuals and businesses that fail to meet their obligations.

He made the call at an international conference at his alma mater, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi, where he highlighted the potential of technology to strengthen public financial management and governance.

According to him, AI-driven systems could help government agencies analyse financial information, monitor revenue flows and ensure that public funds are properly accounted for.

He noted that technology offered opportunities to address persistent challenges in revenue administration, including inadequate monitoring, tax evasion and revenue losses caused by inefficient collection systems.

For state governments seeking to increase internally generated revenue, AI-powered tools could help identify gaps in tax records, improve payment tracking and flag suspicious transactions.

However, effective deployment would require reliable data, appropriate digital infrastructure, skilled personnel and safeguards to ensure responsible use of the technology.

The university commended Kwaghgba for his professional achievements and contributions to public administration, describing his experience as valuable to the training of future public sector leaders.

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It also expressed willingness to invite him to deliver lectures to students, particularly on practical aspects of public administration and governance.

The proposed engagement is expected to provide students with insights into the challenges of managing public institutions and improving service delivery.

Kwaghgba’s call comes amid growing interest in using emerging technologies to modernise public sector operations, strengthen government revenue and reduce opportunities for financial mismanagement.

For Benue State and other subnational governments, effective digital revenue systems could improve tax administration and provide additional resources for infrastructure, healthcare, education and other public services.