Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured Nigerians that the Federal Government’s ongoing tax reforms are designed to fix longstanding inefficiencies in the tax system rather than impose additional burdens on citizens, particularly low-income earners and small businesses.
Speaking at the Lagos Tax Reform Summit held in Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu said the reforms would create a fairer, more transparent, and efficient tax system that protects vulnerable groups while ensuring that wealthy individuals and corporations meet their obligations.
Addressing the concerns, Sanwo-Olu acknowledged public apprehension but stressed that the core objective of the reforms was to protect small businesses, eliminate multiple taxation, and close revenue leakages.
“I know some people fear that these reforms will hurt the poor and favour the wealthy. That is simply not true”.
“The goal of the new tax law is simple: protect small businesses, ensure the wealthy meet their obligations, close revenue leakages, and bring more people fairly into the tax system.”
Sanwo-Olu commended President Bola Tinubu for championing the reforms, describing them as bold and necessary steps to overhaul a tax framework that had been ineffective for years.
“These changes are not easy, but the hard part is already giving way to real progress. It takes courage, experience and confidence to fix a system that has been broken for too long,” he said.
Reaffirming Lagos State’s support for the Federal Government’s tax reform agenda, the governor pledged full cooperation in implementing a harmonised tax system that promotes growth, fairness and accountability across all levels of government.
According to him, the reforms are focused on improving efficiency, expanding the tax net, reducing duplication in tax collection, and strengthening trust between taxpayers and government, rather than increasing tax rates.
The summit, themed: “The Lagos Implementation Road Map – From Reforms to Results: Creating a Tax Environment that Works for All,” was jointly organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue and the State Treasury Office.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos was committed to translating federal tax policies into practical, people-focused outcomes at the sub-national level, with particular attention to small businesses and vulnerable citizens.
The Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr Abdulkabir Ogungbo, said the summit underscored Lagos State’s alignment with the federal reform framework.
He disclosed that a state-level committee had been established to work with the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, resulting in extensive consultations with ministries, revenue agencies, financial institutions, transport operators and local governments.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Finance, Mr Abayomi Oluyomi, emphasised the need for synergy between federal and state governments to ensure the successful implementation of the reforms.
“The move from policy to practice requires strong collaboration across all levels of government.
The success of federal tax reforms will directly impact our ability to fund infrastructure, deliver public services and improve the quality of life of our people,” he said.
Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ayodele Subair, said the new framework would simplify tax obligations for small and medium-sized enterprises, reduce compliance costs, and protect low-income earners.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, said the reforms were aimed at creating a unified, transparent and efficient tax system nationwide.
He noted that standardisation and harmonisation were critical to rebuilding taxpayer confidence and achieving long-term fiscal sustainability, adding that Lagos’ commitment would significantly strengthen national implementation efforts.
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