Lagos State Government has begun training public servants on the implications of Nigeria’s new tax law as it moves to harmonise revenue collection systems, eliminate duplication and strengthen the use of technology and data in tax administration.
- +LASG trains workers on tax law, revenue reforms
The two-day training, organised by the Ministry of Establishments and Training in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers, was aimed at equipping civil servants, revenue officers and finance professionals with the knowledge required to implement the new tax regime and improve revenue administration.
The two-day training, organised by the Ministry of Establishments and Training in collaboration with PricewaterhouseCoopers, was aimed at equipping civil servants, revenue officers and finance professionals with the knowledge required to implement the new tax regime and improve revenue administration.
The programme, themed “Strategic Implications of the New Nigerian Tax Law,” focused on tax reforms, revenue harmonisation, technology adoption and data-driven governance.
Speaking at the training, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Establishments and Training, Odubusola Abidakone, said the reforms presented an opportunity for public servants to improve compliance, transparency and efficiency in government.
She urged participants to become advocates of tax awareness and accountability within the public service.
“As public servants, it is our responsibility to understand the strategic implications of the new tax law and ensure that our institutions remain compliant, transparent and efficient,” Abidakone said.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Taxation and Revenue, Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo, said the state was already restructuring its revenue administration through the Lagos Revenue Portal, a centralised platform for billing, payments, reconciliation and reporting.
He said the move was intended to tackle fragmented revenue systems and prevent multiple government agencies from operating disconnected databases.
“One of the major challenges we face is fragmented systems and databases that do not communicate with one another.
“Harmonisation is necessary to ensure a seamless experience for taxpayers and improve efficiency across government agencies,” Ogungbo said.
He disclosed that more than 80 per cent of revenue-generating agencies in the state had been integrated into the Lagos Revenue Portal, adding that the government was working towards deeper integration between state and local government revenue systems.
The development is expected to make it easier for the government to track collections, reconcile payments and obtain a clearer picture of revenue performance across its various agencies.
At a panel session, experts stressed that technology, artificial intelligence and integrated databases would increasingly determine the effectiveness of modern tax administration.
They called on government agencies to dismantle data silos, improve information sharing and adopt technology-driven systems capable of supporting more efficient revenue collection and public service delivery.
On workforce capacity, Abisola identified operational, behavioural, technical and structural deficiencies as some of the factors affecting revenue performance.
She urged public servants to embrace continuous professional development while acquiring stronger analytical and digital skills and maintaining integrity in the discharge of their duties.
“Lagos is a global city, and only globally minded officers can effectively support its growth and development,” she said.
An Associate Director at PwC, Tunde Adedogba, commended the state government for investing in the capacity of its workforce, describing Lagos as a model for public-sector innovation and revenue administration.
Adedogba, however, challenged participants to translate the lessons from the training into measurable improvements in their respective offices.
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. The knowledge gained during this training must translate into action and improved performance across government institutions,” he said.
Participants also said the training had provided useful insights into the need for greater collaboration among government agencies.
A Public Affairs Officer with the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Keyinde Akinsoye, said the sessions had particularly highlighted the value of data sharing in improving government revenue systems.
“We have learnt that agencies can achieve more by sharing data and working together. This will help us build a stronger and more effective revenue system for Lagos State,” she said.
