Lagos endorses Tinubu's Tax Reforms, assures fairness

 

By Kayode Olopade 

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to aligning with Nigeria’s ongoing national fiscal and tax reforms, pledging efficient implementation anchored on fairness, transparency and technology-driven growth.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stated this on Tuesday at the Tax Reform Summit 2025 held in Lagos, describing the summit as timely and strategic in repositioning Nigeria’s tax system for efficiency, equity and sustainable economic development.

Sanwo-Olu said Lagos operates strictly within the framework of national fiscal programmes and is fully aligned with the tax reforms being championed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to him, the reforms are designed to simplify governance, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, strengthen transparency and leverage technology to enhance tax administration and service delivery.

He noted that Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub and one of Africa’s fastest-growing megacities, faces enormous developmental pressures that make sustainable internally generated revenue critical to its growth.

The governor explained that rapid population growth, infrastructure demands and urban congestion underscore the need for efficient revenue mobilisation to support the state’s development agenda.

Addressing concerns that the reforms may place additional burdens on low-income earners, Sanwo-Olu assured that the new tax framework is structured to protect small businesses, expand the tax base and promote fairness.

He added that a predictable and transparent tax system is vital to building trust between government and citizens, describing taxation as a social contract that must be backed by accountability and visible service delivery

Earlier, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, said the tax reform initiative is not aimed at increasing tax rates but fixing systemic inefficiencies.

Oyedele stressed that sub-national tax reform is crucial to Nigeria’s fiscal sustainability, as states and local governments are primarily responsible for infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and environmental management.

He said Lagos is expected to demonstrate leadership in areas such as data quality, property registers and taxpayer databases, to serve as a model for other states.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abdulkabir Ogungbo, described the summit as a major milestone in Lagos State’s continuous engagement on fiscal reforms.

Ogungbo disclosed that a state committee was constituted to work closely with the presidential committee, leading to extensive consultations with public and private sector stakeholders, including ministries, agencies, financial institutions and local governments.

He said the reforms are aimed at simplifying processes, clarifying revenue collection responsibilities and establishing a solid revenue framework anchored on transparency, accurate identification and data-driven governance.

In his remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, said the state has remained a trailblazer in innovative revenue administration.

He noted that the summit was focused on moving beyond policy discussions to practical implementation, stressing that the success of the reforms would directly impact Lagos State’s capacity to fund infrastructure, deliver public services and improve the quality of life of residents.