IBP, Lagos Tax Justice Organize Capacity Building Session In Lagos On Tax

The International Budget Partnership (IBP), in partnership with the Lagos Tax Justice on Wednesday organized a capacity building session for local council development areas, community development associations, community development councils, Business Membership Organizations and others in areas of tax related issues in Lagos.

Other participating groups were the Association of Nigerian Women Business Network (ANWBN), Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises.

The theme of the session was “Strengthening taxation in Africa for transparency and equity (STATE)”.  

Speaking at the event, Chinedu Bassey, who provides support to the Tax Justice and Governance Platform on behalf of International Budget Partnership, said that the event was organized to review what the partners have done throughout the year.

“The purpose was to review all work that our partners ANWBN – SWIT and NASME and others have done in their interface with Igbogbo Baiyeku, Igando-Ikotun local council development areas in Lagos State. We want to look at how far we have come, what we have achieved, what went well, what changed, and what we intend to do going forward in the next coming year.”

On what were the major achievements of the engagements with the people, Bassey said that more people now engage in the tax conversation differently, adding that more people are aware about tax issues and how they impact them.

According to him, “More women are now outspoken within the tax space. They are more interested now, unlike before, when they did not pay attention and were not interested in tax issues. We are celebrating the little changes which have been recorded.”

On his assessment of tax policies as they affect the informal sector, he stated that things are changing for good as a greater part of the people are aware that they need to pay tax and demand how the tax revenue is spent.

Bassey explained that the cry against multiple taxation has reached the highest authorities in the country, adding promises have been made to change the situation when the tax reforms take effect.

He said that the new tax laws will harmonize the processes and streamline the taxes that people in the informal sector pay and make it easier for them and help them to grow their businesses.

Bassey charged everyone who has a taxable income to pay their taxes and get interested in knowing what the tax revenue is used for.

The different groups presented the work they had done in different fields and areas.

Mr Mike Alade, the executive director of Impact and Development Initiative, the host of Lagos Tax Justice, said that the group was delighted to have selected Ikotun-Igando and Igbogbo Baiyeku LCDAs as the pilot LCDA for Lagos State project and appreciated the chairmen of the councils for their cooperation.

He disclosed that the group will bring in other LCDAS on board in the next phase of the project.

Mrs. Foluke Ademokun, the national president of ANWBN, said there is a need to make the Nigerian tax regime gender sensitive, because, according to her, the financial system affects men and women differently.

The International Budget Partnership is an organization that partners with analysts, community organizers, and advocates in 120 countries to improve public budget systems that work for people. Its mission includes promoting budget transparency, public participation, and oversight through initiatives like the Open Budget Survey, which assesses countries’ budget practices. The IBP aims to fight poverty by addressing government budgets, which are crucial tools for meeting the needs and priorities of communities.