The Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has begun updating its revenue portal to align with Nigeria’s new tax laws scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, reinforcing Lagos State’s readiness to translate policy into effective implementation.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this at the Tax Reform Summit jointly organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue and the State Treasury Office, themed “Tax Reform Summit: The Lagos Implementation Road Map.”
President Bola Tinubu recently signed four tax laws to usher in a new national tax regime, with implementation expected in 2026, subject to the resolution of ongoing debates around certain provisions.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos remains fully aligned with the federal fiscal framework and the Tinubu administration’s tax reform agenda, stressing that the success of the reforms depends not only on federal legislation but also on effective execution at the state level.
Addressing concerns that the reforms could burden the poor, the Governor said the new tax laws are designed to simplify Nigeria’s tax system, reduce multiple taxation, improve administration, and modernise revenue collection through technology. According to him, the framework will protect small businesses, ensure the wealthy pay their fair share, plug revenue leakages, and broaden the tax base to support economic growth.
He added that Lagos’ approach focuses on moving beyond policy discussions to practical implementation anchored on simplicity, transparency, digital efficiency, and fairness, while strengthening collaboration across all tiers of government and with the private sector.
Ayodele Subair, Chairman of LIRS, said the agency has completed a phased awareness and sensitisation programme to educate residents on the new tax law. He noted that a structured implementation plan is already in place to ensure coordinated execution, digital integration, and stronger institutional capacity.
Abayomi Oluyomi, Commissioner for Finance, said the reforms present an opportunity to build a more efficient, data-driven, and taxpayer-friendly system. He emphasised the importance of collaboration with Lagos’ 57 local governments, alongside initiatives such as property enumeration, digital mapping, and linking Payer IDs with the National Tax Identification Number (TIN).
Guest speaker and Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Taiwo Oyedele, stressed that accurate data is critical to successful implementation. He explained that under the new regime, the Federal Government will provide policy direction and harmonisation, while states and local governments will handle administration and service delivery.
Oyedele urged Lagos to pilot innovative solutions under the new framework, noting that Nigeria currently has fewer than 10 million active taxpayers nationwide, a figure Lagos alone should be able to match, given its population and economic activity.
