Hamzat Promises To End Multiple Taxation In Lagos

Blessing FaliNovember 13, 20262 Mins read5

Lagos State Deputy Governor and All Progressives Congress governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, has promised to end multiple taxation in the state through a harmonised tax collection system that will protect residents and business owners from repeated demands for payments.

Hamzat made the commitment on Friday during a town hall meeting organised by BusinessDay, where he presented his proposed tax reforms and outlined plans to improve the business environment in Lagos.

He said his proposed administration would introduce a unified tax payment system in collaboration with local governments to ensure that residents and business operators clearly understand their tax obligations.

According to him, the arrangement would eliminate situations where individuals and businesses are forced to pay multiple levies to different government agencies and local authorities after fulfilling their statutory tax responsibilities.

Hamzat explained that the Federal Government had reduced the number of taxes from 63 to nine through its ongoing tax reforms, adding that Lagos State was working towards harmonising its tax collection structure with the new national framework.

He noted that the process would require cooperation between the state government and local government authorities, particularly following the Supreme Court’s position recognising local governments as an independent tier of government.

He said, “What Lagos State is doing, I agree with you, my brother, is now harmonising it. Because the Constitution and the Supreme Court’s ruling that the local governments are a separate government. So that’s the ruling of the land.

“Therefore, what we are doing is to harmonise. Talk to local government and make sure that that nine is what is harmonising. That is the practical system. Knowing what exactly exists.”

The deputy governor said the proposed reform was designed to address longstanding complaints from traders, entrepreneurs and other residents who often struggle to identify the different taxes and levies they are expected to pay.

He recalled an encounter with a woman who appealed to the government to provide a comprehensive list of her tax obligations so she could make the necessary payments without being approached for additional collections.

According to him, the woman’s request reflected the concerns of many taxpayers who want transparency and certainty in their financial dealings with government authorities.

He said, “Now, a woman told me when I was going, I said, let me just know what I need to pay. If I pay, leave me alone. I think that’s a fair request and I intend to honour it.”

Hamzat promised that the unified tax schedule would be made publicly accessible so individuals and businesses could easily identify approved payments.

He added that any levy not included in the official schedule would not be recognised as a legitimate payment.

He further pledged to establish a dedicated complaints centre where residents could report cases of multiple taxation, unauthorised collections and misconduct by tax officials.

According to him, complaints submitted through the proposed platform would receive responses within 48 hours, a commitment he said would form part of his manifesto.

The APC candidate also highlighted the difficulties faced by food traders transporting agricultural produce into Lagos, noting that the state produces only about five per cent of the food it consumes.

He explained that traders bringing food from other states frequently encounter multiple collections along transportation routes, although Lagos State has limited control over levies imposed outside its jurisdiction.