Sanwo-Olu reaffirms LASG commitment to tax reform, sustainable growth

By Adeola Ogunrinde –

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tax reform compliance, effective execution and practical policy implementation aimed at driving real economic value and sustainable development for residents.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Tuesday while hosting the Tax Reform Summit jointly organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue and the State Treasury Office. The summit, themed “Tax Reform Summit: The Lagos Implementation Road Map – From Reforms to Results: Creating a Tax Environment that Works for All,” was held at GRA, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu described the summit as timely, noting that the reform initiative is designed to build a tax system that is simple, efficient and supportive of economic growth, while protecting small businesses and vulnerable citizens.

According to him, the reforms will help block revenue leakages, expand the tax net, reduce multiple taxation and strengthen trust between government and taxpayers.

“The goal is to create a tax environment that works for all — one that supports strong economic growth, protects small businesses and vulnerable citizens, and ensures efficiency and transparency in revenue administration,” the governor said, urging stakeholders to play active roles in making the reforms successful.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Mr Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said the summit marked another milestone in Lagos State’s continuous engagement with stakeholders and alignment with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms.

Ogungbo disclosed that a state committee had been constituted to work with the presidential committee, leading to extensive consultations across the public and private sectors. He said the engagement, which involved revenue agencies, ministries, financial institutions, transport operators and local governments, was aimed at addressing multiple taxation, harmonising revenue lines, integrating revenue systems and deploying data-driven platforms for efficient administration.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi, the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ayodele Subair, and the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, stressed that effective implementation, simplification, transparency and standardisation of the tax system were critical to funding infrastructure, improving public services, protecting low-income earners and ensuring fiscal sustainability at both state and national levels.