JRB 159th Meeting: Sanwo-Olu Commends LIRS, Seeks Autonomy For State Tax Agencies

…says IGR driving Lagos development

Lagos State Governor,  Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday commended the
performance of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS),
describing it as a critical driver of the state’s economic growth,
while calling for greater autonomy for tax agencies across the country.

Sanwo-Olu spoke at the State House, Marina, while hosting members of the
Joint Revenue Board (JRB) for its 159th meeting, which began on Monday,
April 20, 2026.

The Joint Revenue Board (JRB) formerly known as the Joint Tax Board
(JTB), is made up of the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue
Service (NRS), chairmen of the 36 State Internal Revenue Services and
the Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as
representatives of key agencies including the Federal Ministry of
Finance, National Identity Management Commission, Revenue Mobilisation,
Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria
Immigration Service and the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The governor said Lagos had continued to record significant growth in
internally generated revenue due to deliberate reforms implemented by
LIRS, noting that IGR now accounts for over 60 per cent of the state’s
annual budget.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that Lagos generated N1.3tn as internally generated
revenue in 2024, representing a 45 per cent increase over the previous
year, driven by reforms spearheaded by the LIRS.

He attributed the growth to sustained investment in digital tax systems,
expansion of the tax base, and improved engagement with taxpayers.

“We can say that our internally generated revenues now account for
well over 60 per cent of our budget. It has not happened by sheer luck.
It is the result of years of investment in digital tax systems, a push
to expand our tax net, and building trust with our taxpayers,” the
governor said.

The governor, however, stressed that for other states to replicate
Lagos’ success, tax agencies must be allowed to operate independently
without undue political interference.

He urged state governors to grant full tenure and operational freedom to
revenue authorities, warning that frequent disruptions in leadership
could undermine efficiency and public confidence.

Sanwo-Olu said, “Governors need to give revenue agencies clear space
to work. They need to give them that independence. They need to give
them full tenure to do their work. It should not be a situation where a
governor comes and wants to disrupt the tenure of the chairman. It is
only when they do all of this that the confidence of taxpayers, the
confidence of workers and subordinates in the system will be enhanced. I
will be pushing my brother governors again for them to understand and
appreciate that it is only when they give you what you need to work that
they can get the benefits of the expertise that you all have.”

The governor also said taxes paid by residents and businesses were being
translated into visible infrastructure and social projects across the
state, stressing that Lagos had become a model for linking revenue
generation with development.

He said, “For us, it is really about our citizens. It is about the
people who have given us the trust to believe in us and to pay these
taxes. My deputy and I are consistently committed to ensuring that we
leave this place a lot better than we met it.”

Highlighting projects funded through public revenue, the governor cited
the Blue and Red Rail Lines, road expansion projects, hospitals and new
universities. He said Lagos was building a multi-modal transportation
system that would combine rail, water transport and buses to improve
movement across the state.

Earlier, Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS),
Ayodele Subair, said the Joint Revenue Board had become central to
strengthening Nigeria’s tax system through coordination and reform
implementation.

He added that the new tax laws had made coordination even more urgent.

“This meeting comes at a pivotal time following the enactment and
implementation of the new tax laws. The JRB is positioning itself to
support effective implementation by strengthening coordination across
all tiers of government,” he said.

Subair noted that Lagos’ hosting of the meeting again after five years
reflected its economic importance.

“After a five-year interval, Lagos State is once again honoured to
host this important gathering. This reflects the state’s leadership as
Nigeria’s economic nerve centre,” he said.

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Speaking on behalf of the Chairman of the Joint Revenue Board, Zacch
Adedeji, the Executive Secretary of JRB, Olusegun Adesokan, commended
Lagos for its revenue performance and governance reforms.

He said, “It is no surprise that Lagos State Internal Revenue Service
remains the leading subnational revenue authority in Nigeria.”

Adesokan added that Lagos’ revenue growth reflected long-term reforms.

“Prior to this, the state’s annual internal revenue was less than
N94bn. But today, Lagos generates over N1.7tn annually,” he said.

He noted that the increase represented a 39 per cent rise year-on-year.

“These achievements clearly demonstrate how strong revenue
performance, when effectively managed, translates into tangible
development outcomes for citizens,” he said.

Adesokan further described Lagos as a benchmark for tax administration
in Nigeria.

“Your sustained support for tax administration underscores the high
priority you accord effective revenue administration and its critical
contribution to sustainable development,” he said.

The Executive Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Internal Revenue Service, Okon
Okon, thanked Governor Sanwoolu for hosting the meeting as he
highlighted the positive experiences of the JRB members in Lagos,
especially the Blurail train ride from Marina to Mile 2 and a visit to
the Eko Atlantic City.