By Akila Yerima Yeri, Jalingo
Taraba Commissioner – Oct. 09, 2025
When Governor Agbu Kefas set out to reshape Taraba State’s governance model, he understood that reforms required not just political will but also the steady hands of technocrats who could translate vision into numbers, policies, and measurable outcomes. In Dr. Serah Enoch Adi, his Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, he found precisely that.
For a state that has long grappled with fiscal leakages, delayed salaries, and weak revenue generation, Dr. Adi’s entry into the scene marked a turning point. Colleagues in government describe her as firm yet approachable, a leader who insists on discipline but does not shy away from mentoring her team.
Restoring Trust in Government Finance:
Her first challenge was restoring public trust. Within months, she oversaw reforms that sanitised the state’s payroll system, eliminating ghost workers and ensuring verified retirees received their long-awaited gratuities. Salaries became prompt, a rarity in previous years.
To her, timely payment of salaries is more than an administrative duty. “It is the lifeline of every family in Taraba, and government has no excuse for failure in that regard,” she is reported to have told a gathering of finance officers.
Strategic Reforms and Revenue Growth:
Her second mission was expanding the state’s revenue base. Partnering with the Board of Internal Revenue, Dr. Adi introduced modern strategies that doubled Internally Generated Revenue from ₦800 million to ₦1.6 billion monthly. Projections suggest collections could cross ₦15 billion when the year closes.
But she has been careful to balance revenue drive with public acceptance. Unlike aggressive tax regimes that alienate citizens, her approach has been about widening the net, improving compliance, and promoting accountability in how taxes are spent.
Beyond Numbers: Building Partnerships:
Dr. Adi’s vision extends beyond local reforms. She has spearheaded a foreign direct investment (FDI) campaign, connecting Taraba with international business communities and development partners. In Abuja, she is a regular presence at high-level federal meetings, where she has successfully negotiated grants and technical support that come at minimal cost to the state.
Her ability to build trust with partners — whether federal agencies, multilateral institutions, or investors — is fast becoming one of Taraba’s hidden strengths.
The Governor’s Economic Anchor:
Political watchers agree that Dr. Adi has become a pillar of Governor Kefas’ reform agenda. She not only manages the state’s finances but also provides strategic guidance on fiscal policy, helping the administration strike a delicate balance between expenditure and development goals.
Her insistence on prioritising capital expenditure over recurrent costs reflects a clear long-term vision. By tightening supervision of government projects, she has also instilled accountability, ensuring taxpayers’ money translates into visible results.
Leadership Style:
Behind her technocratic precision lies a leadership style defined by collaboration. Staff in the Ministry describe her as a leader who “delegates with trust but demands results.” She is known for late-night review sessions and a preference for evidence-driven decisions.
Those close to her say her mantra is simple: “Every naira must work for Taraba.”
Political Context and Legacy:
As the 2027 political horizon draws nearer, analysts believe the Kefas administration will be judged largely on its economic performance. In that equation, Dr. Adi’s stewardship of state finances is pivotal.
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Her reforms are not only stabilising the present but also laying the groundwork for a stronger political narrative: one that portrays Taraba as fiscally disciplined, investor-friendly, and development-focused.
In this sense, her role transcends that of a commissioner; she is both a technocrat and a political asset.
