Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has asserted that the success of Nigeria’s new tax framework depends more on effective state-level implementation than on the federal laws themselves.
Speaking at the Lagos Tax Reform Summit held yesterday, the governor emphasised that while the federal government provides the policy direction, it is the responsibility of the states to translate these reforms into tangible results for businesses, workers, and families.
In preparation for the new national tax framework scheduled to take effect in January 2026, Sanwo-Olu revealed that the state has already begun updating its digital infrastructure.
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“We have already started adjusting our revenue portal ahead of the new tax framework,” the governor stated.
He noted that the state is working to ensure a seamless transition and that the policy’s impact is felt positively in real-world economic activities.
Addressing public concerns that the reforms might disproportionately affect the poor, the governor dismissed these fears as unfounded.
He clarified that the new tax laws are designed to create a more equitable system by protecting small businesses through exemptions and reducing burdens on small and medium-sized enterprises to encourage growth.
He also explained that the laws ensure compliance among wealthy individuals and large corporations by making sure high-income earners meet their full fiscal obligations.
In addition, the reforms aim to close revenue leakages by leveraging technology and data integration to eliminate losses and multiple taxation.
Also, the laws seek to broaden the tax base by bringing more citizens into the system in a fair manner, thereby reducing the tax burden on individuals.
Sanwo-Olu commended President Bola Tinubu for his courage and experience in overhauling a system he described as being “broken for too long.”
He noted that for Lagos—a state with a rapidly growing population and rising social needs—the national reform aligns naturally with its internal strategy of building a robust, home-grown revenue base to fund infrastructure and essential services.
“This summit is about turning reform into action. Lagos has always worked within the national fiscal system, and we remain fully aligned with the reforms being led by President Bola Tinubu,” Sanwo-Olu remarked.
The governor’s Special Adviser on Revenue and Taxation, Abdulkabir Ogungbo, and the Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, reiterated the state’s readiness to provide coordination.
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They noted that the focus has moved beyond theory into the “hard work” of implementation, involving collaboration with local governments and the private sector.
The Lagos Tax Reform Summit, themed “From Reforms to Results,” serves as the official implementation roadmap for the state as it prepares for the nationwide shift in fiscal policy next month.
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