Ongoing Tax Reforms Represent Structural Overhaul Nigeria Needs – Sanwo-Olu

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has lauded the ongoing tax reforms, saying that it represent a genuine shift and structural overhaul Nigeria needs in its fiscal space.

Sanwo-Olu stated this on Wednesday, 22nd April 2026, at the official opening of the 159th Meeting of the Joint Revenue Board (JRB) in Lagos State.

He said the replacement of the old JTB with JRB and the expansion of the Board’s mandate to include harmonisation of revenue administration across all tiers of governments, resolution of disputes on revenue administration at the inter-governmental level, and the creation of the Office of the Tax Ombud to promote taxpayers’ rights, are laudable structural shifts.

According to the Governor, “the replacement of the old JTB with the JRB is the kind of structural overhaul Nigeria needs in order to harmonise revenue administration across all tiers of government, resolve disputes relating to revenue administration at the inter-government level and give taxpayers a credible Ombud, represent a genuine shift in Nigeria’s fiscal ecosystem”.

“These are no small achievements, and I commend the visionary leadership of our President, His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the leadership of the National Assembly for the tax reforms. I also commend the JRB for your energy and the conviction you brought into bringing these reforms to life”.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who declared the 159th Meeting open, said Lagos State is a partner in the ongoing reform journey and will be willing to support collaborations within the revenue ecosystem designed to serve the interest of the country.

He noted that Lagos State Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has improved remarkably under his administration, adding that IGR now funds about 60 percent of the State’s capital expenditure.

The governor attributed the State’s IGR growth to the LIRS’s autonomy, investment in technology infrastructure, expansion of the tax net, and building trust in taxpayers through compact service delivery to the public.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who identified himself as an Ambassador of the JRB to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), said he will continue to advocate for autonomy for subnational revenue authorities, emphasising that operational independence is a necessity for the optimal performance of State Internal Revenue authorities.

Hear him, “as your Ambassador, I will push my fellow Governors again to understand and appreciate that it is only when you are given what you need to work with that they can reap the full benefits of your expertise.”

“I will emphasise to them that you need a clear space to work, that you need independence and full tenure to work. These are necessary to enhance the confidence of the taxpayers, that of your subordinates and the public”.

The governor wished the Board fruitful deliberations.

Presenting a keynote address, the Chairman of JRB, Dr Zacch Adedeji, represented by the executive secretary of the Board, Olusegun Adesokan, applauded the remarkable performance of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) in annual revenue collection under the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the leadership of Ayodele Subair, as rxecutive chairman, of the LIRS.

The Board Chairman attributed the IGR feat recorded by Lagos State to sustained reforms in the State’s revenue sector.

“The remarkable performance of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service is rooted in the visionary reforms initiated by His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his tenure as Executive Governor of Lagos State.”

“In 2025, Lagos State generated over N1.7 trillion, representing a 39 per cent increase compared to the N1.2 trillion generated in 2024. This reflects sustained commitment to reform and institutional strengthening.”

Dr Adedeji said JRB is particularly pleased that Lagos State revenue is effectively deployed by Governor Sanwo-Olu to improve the welfare of citizens through investment in infrastructure, including a multimodal transportation system, education, food security, among other sectors.

Dr Adedeji thanked the Governor for hosting the Board’s 159th Meeting and appreciated LIRS for its hospitality since the commencement of the Meeting on Monday.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Executive Chairman of Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ayodele Subair, said the JRB plays a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s tax administration and that the 159th Meeting of the Board, hosted in Lagos State, came at a pivotal time following the enactment of the new tax Acts.

Mr Subair said the visionary leadership and support of the Governor to the LIRS have enhanced service delivery and positioned Lagos State as a model in subnational revenue mobilisation in Nigeria.

He thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for hosting the Board Meeting for the second time.

The theme of the 159th Meeting of the JRB is “From Fragmentation to Coherence: Advancing Sub-National Tax Administration Through Harmonisation”.