KGIRS Boss Urges Youths To Embrace Innovation, Entrepreneurship

The executive chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Dr Sule Salihu Enehe, has urged Nigerian youths to embrace knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship as pathways to self-reliance, saying the future belongs to young people equipped with digital skills and creative thinking.

Enehe gave the charge while delivering the keynote address at the maiden International Conference of the Department of Business Administration, Federal University Lokoja, held under the theme: “From Idea to Scale: Building Resilient SMEs in Emerging Markets.”

The two-day conference brought together academics, policymakers, business leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and students to examine strategies for building resilient and sustainable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in emerging economies.

Addressing participants, the KGIRS chairman challenged students to see themselves as future employers of labour rather than job seekers, stressing that technological innovation has continued to reshape businesses and leadership across the world.

“The world is changing rapidly. Technology is disrupting traditional industries and creating opportunities for young innovators every day. Do not wait for the older generation to hand over leadership positions to you. Prepare yourselves and seize those opportunities,” he said.

Enehe said both the federal and Kogi State governments had introduced policies to encourage entrepreneurship and support the growth of SMEs through tax incentives, business-friendly reforms and access to funding.

He disclosed that emerging businesses could benefit from tax incentives and waivers designed to reduce the burden on startups, enabling them to grow before assuming full tax obligations.

The KGIRS boss also highlighted the free Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) business registration initiative supported by the World Bank, noting that the programme allows entrepreneurs to formalise their businesses at no cost while positioning them to access grants and enterprise development opportunities.

He urged participants to take advantage of funding opportunities offered by the Bank of Industry (BOI), describing the institution as a strategic partner for entrepreneurs seeking to expand their businesses.

According to him, students should begin developing viable business ideas while still in school, noting that innovation only becomes impactful when translated into practical solutions.

“Ideas remain ideas until they are developed into solutions that create value. Register your businesses, improve your skills, embrace innovation and position yourselves to access the numerous opportunities already provided by government and development institutions,” he said.

Enehe maintained that resilient SMEs remain critical to economic growth, job creation and sustainable revenue generation, adding that governments can only achieve meaningful development when businesses operate within a supportive policy environment.

He reaffirmed KGIRS’ commitment to promoting voluntary tax compliance through taxpayer education while supporting policies that encourage business formalisation and enterprise growth.

Also speaking, the special adviser to the Kogi State governor on Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Dr Rahman Nasir Ichanyi, underscored the importance of mentorship in personal and professional development.

Ichanyi described Enehe as his mentor, saying the KGIRS chairman had played a significant role in shaping his academic and professional journey.

He encouraged students to identify mentors whose experience, discipline and values could prepare them for leadership and career success.

Participants commended the keynote address for its practical insights into entrepreneurship and enterprise development, describing it as a timely contribution to ongoing efforts aimed at promoting youth empowerment and economic resilience.