SANWO-OLU CHARGES GOVERNORS TO EMPOWER INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICES FOR IMPROVED IGRs
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has charged his colleagues in other states to empower and provide a clear space to work for Chairmen of the State Internal Revenue Service to improve Internally Generated Revenue for development and growth across the country.
He said empowering the State Internal Revenue Service will enhance the confidence of the taxpayers and personnel to do the right thing.
Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the Joint Revenue Board at Lagos House, Marina, to declare open the 159th Meeting of the Board in Lagos.
He said: “I will push my brother governors again for them to understand and appreciate that it is only when they give you (chairmen of the State Internal Revenue Service) what you need to work with that you can get a full benefit of the expertise that you all have.
“They (governors) need to give you clear space to work. They need to give you independence. They need to give you your full tenure to do your work. They need to understand that it is only when they do all of these that the confidence of the taxpayers and subordinates will be enhanced and people will do the right thing.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu said Lagos State is fully aligned with the new national framework, and the State is ready to share whatever it has learned with other states and the Board.
He also expressed his administration’s readiness to undertake mutually beneficial initiatives between the Joint Revenue Board and Lagos State that will strengthen tax from the board.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration has made good use of the generated revenues to deliver dividends of democracy to over 24 million Lagos residents through the THEMES+ developmental agenda.
He said: “Lagos, of course, has a stake in getting this right. In 2024, we generated ₦1.3 trillion in internally generated revenue, a 45 per cent jump on the previous year, and IGR now finances over 60 per cent of our budget. That has not happened by luck. It is the result of years of investment in digital tax systems, expanding our tax net, and building trust with our taxpayers.
“Lagos is your partner in this reform journey. Whatever collaboration that serves the national interest – sharing data, aligning systems, coordinating compliance – you will find us open and willing.”
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Joint Revenue Board, Zacch Adedeji, said the theme of the meeting, “From Fragmentation to Coherence: Advancing Sub-National Tax Administration through Harmonisation”, is both relevant and timely.
Adedeji, who was represented by the Executive Secretary of JRB, Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, said Governor Sanwo-Olu’s sustained support for the activities of the Joint Revenue Board underscores the high priority he accords the effective revenue administration and its critical contribution to sustainable development.
He said: “It is not surprising that the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), under the leadership of Mr. Ayodele Subair, remains the leading sub-national revenue authority in Nigeria.
“The remarkable performance of LIRS is rooted in the visionary reforms initiated by His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, during his tenure as Executive Governor of Lagos State. Prior to these reforms, whose implementation commenced in 2007, the State’s annual Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) was less than ₦94 billion. Today, Lagos State generates over ₦1.7 trillion annually, reflecting sustained commitment to reform and institutional strengthening.
“On a year-on-year basis, Lagos State recorded over ₦1.7 trillion in IGR in 2025, representing a 39% increase compared to the ₦1.2 trillion generated in 2024. The Board is highly encouraged by this performance, particularly as these revenues are being effectively deployed to improve the welfare of citizens through critical infrastructure and social investments.
“We commend the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for several impactful projects, including the recently commissioned Ojota–Opebi 5.04 km Link Bridge, designed to ease traffic congestion across key commercial corridors such as Opebi, Allen, Maryland, and Ojota.
“In the area of food security, the Mid-Level Agro Food Hub in Abijo, situated along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, stands as a significant milestone. The facility features modern storage systems and expansive trading spaces to support agricultural value chains.
“In education, amongst other interventions in this sector, the regeneration of the Tolu Schools Complex in Ajegunle, now comprising 36 public schools with modern facilities, ICT laboratories, and capacity for approximately 20,000 students, is unprecedented and highly commendable.
“In transportation, the ongoing Lagos Rail Mass Transit Project continues to demonstrate the State’s commitment to improving mobility. These achievements clearly demonstrate how strong revenue performance, when effectively managed, translates into tangible development outcomes for citizens.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), Mr. Ayodele Subair, said the Joint Revenue Board plays a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s tax administration.
He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to improving LIRS through enhanced infrastructure such as vehicles and laptops, increased funding, and deliberate investment in staff welfare and morale.
“Your leadership in this regard provides a clear model for strengthening revenue administration across states. We assure you, Mr. Governor, that the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, under your guidance, is committed to providing a world-class experience for all delegates. We are confident that this meeting will strengthen the national tax system and further project Lagos State’s leadership in fiscal governance,” he said.
