The Lagos State House of Assembly has advanced deliberations on the Harmonised Taxes and Levies (Approved List for Collection) Bill 2025, with lawmakers unanimously supporting the unification of taxes across the state and calling for widespread public sensitisation.
The bill, which passed its second reading during plenary on Tuesday, is designed to establish a clear legal framework guiding the collection of taxes and levies by the state government and local government councils, while addressing inconsistencies in the current system.
Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, described the proposed legislation as a key reform aimed at promoting fairness, transparency, and efficiency in tax administration.
According to him, the harmonisation process would reduce the burden of multiple taxation, particularly on small businesses and low-income earners, ensuring that taxes are either reduced or applied more appropriately.
Obasa stressed the importance of engaging the public, urging lawmakers to take the message directly to their constituencies, including market associations and stakeholders in commerce and industry.
“This reform affects everyone, not just the government. There must be proper awareness and understanding among the people,” he said.
He also encouraged citizens to participate constructively, noting that effective governance requires inclusiveness, innovation, and continuous dialogue.
Contributing to the debate, Gbolahan Yishawu emphasised that taxation must be rooted in constitutional principles and guided by fairness and accountability.
He warned against arbitrary tax imposition, insisting that all levies must have proper legal backing and clearly defined standards.
Yishawu further called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to address gaps in compliance, adding that tax authorities must operate strictly within established regulations while ensuring that violations are appropriately sanctioned.
The proposed legislation is expected to streamline tax processes in Lagos, reduce conflicts between different tiers of government, and improve revenue generation while safeguarding taxpayers’ rights.
