Tinubu’s Policies Drove Lagos Revenue Growth — LIRS Chair

The chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Ayodele Subair, has credited the tax and governance reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his time as governor for laying the foundation of Lagos State’s current revenue strength.

Subair made the remarks at a gala marking the close of the 159th meeting of the Joint Revenue Board, where tax administrators and policymakers from across the country gathered to review strategies for improving revenue collection and compliance.

According to him, a key turning point in Lagos’ tax system came when Tinubu granted operational autonomy to the state’s revenue service, a move he said transformed how taxes were administered and enforced. That decision, he noted, allowed the agency to evolve into a more structured and efficient institution, setting a benchmark that other states have since tried to replicate.

He argued that the continuity of policy across successive administrations has helped sustain that progress, with each government building on the framework already in place rather than abandoning it.

Subair also linked the state’s expanding infrastructure, ranging from transport systems to urban development projects, to improved tax collection, stressing that consistent revenue inflow has enabled long-term planning and execution.

Tax compliance and visible impact

Part of what has driven higher compliance in Lagos, he explained, is the visibility of projects funded by public revenue. Residents, he said, are more willing to pay taxes when they can clearly see how their contributions are being utilised.

He pointed to ongoing investments in transportation, including rail lines, bus systems, and water transport, as examples of how tax revenue is being channelled into public infrastructure. These developments, he added, reinforce the link between taxation and tangible benefits.

Subair also praised Babajide Sanwo-Olu for continuing large-scale infrastructure projects, describing the current administration’s efforts as an extension of the state’s long-term development strategy.

Despite the progress, he acknowledged that tax compliance across Nigeria still lags behind global standards, noting that in many developed countries, citizens contribute a significantly higher percentage of their income as tax.

For Nigeria, he said, the challenge remains building trust and ensuring that taxpayers feel confident that their money is being used effectively.

The Joint Revenue Board meeting itself brought together stakeholders from federal and state agencies, including representatives from finance, customs, immigration, and road safety institutions, reflecting the interconnected nature of revenue generation in the country.

As discussions around taxation continue, Subair’s comments highlight a broader argument that sustained policy direction, institutional independence, and visible results may be key to unlocking higher revenue across Nigeria’s states.

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