By Ayomide Otitoju
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has urged state governors across Nigeria to strengthen and empower their Internal Revenue Services to boost internally generated revenue (IGR) for sustainable development.
Sanwo-Olu made the call on Wednesday while receiving members of the Joint Revenue Board at Lagos House, Marina, during a courtesy visit to declare open the Board’s 159th meeting.
He emphasised that granting operational independence, adequate resources, and full tenure to heads of State Internal Revenue Services would enhance efficiency and build taxpayer confidence. According to him, enabling revenue agencies to function effectively is critical to improving compliance and maximising revenue potential.
The governor noted that Lagos State has aligned with national tax reform frameworks and remains open to collaboration with other states and the Joint Revenue Board, including data sharing and system harmonisation. He added that the state’s revenue growth has been driven by sustained investments in digital tax systems, expansion of the tax base, and efforts to build trust with taxpayers.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Lagos generated about ₦1.3 trillion in IGR in 2024, representing a 45 per cent increase from the previous year, with internally generated revenue now funding over 60 per cent of the state’s budget. He said the funds have been deployed to deliver infrastructure and social services under the THEMES+ development agenda.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Joint Revenue Board, Zacch Adedeji, represented by Executive Secretary Olusegun Adesokan, described the meeting’s theme, “From Fragmentation to Coherence: Advancing Sub-National Tax Administration through Harmonisation,” as timely and relevant. He commended Lagos State’s revenue performance and its effective utilisation for infrastructure and social development.
Adedeji highlighted that Lagos’ tax reforms, initiated during the administration of former governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have significantly increased revenue generation from less than ₦94 billion in 2007 to over ₦1.7 trillion annually in recent years.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Ayodele Subair, commended the governor’s support, noting that investments in infrastructure, funding, and staff welfare have strengthened the agency’s operations. He added that the Joint Revenue Board plays a crucial role in enhancing Nigeria’s tax administration and expressed confidence that the meeting would further advance fiscal reforms nationwide.
