Mr. Olusegun Adesokan, the Executive Secretary of the Joint Revenue Board, has called on state governments to align their tax laws with the recently introduced national tax regime. He highlighted the importance of cooperation between national, state, and local governments to ensure the successful implementation of fiscal reforms. Adesokan pointed out that while the national laws serve as a guide, significant tax administration occurs at the state and local levels, making their alignment crucial for achieving the envisioned benefits of the new tax framework.

Adesokan explained that Nigeria is undergoing one of the most comprehensive fiscal reform efforts in its history, which is based on four new tax laws signed into effect under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. These laws include the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, and the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act. The Executive Secretary stressed that the success of these reforms depends on the willingness of state governments to domesticate and implement the core principles of these laws.

The call for alignment comes at a critical moment as the country seeks to increase its revenue generation capacity. By urging state governments to adopt these new tax laws, the Joint Revenue Board aims to create a unified approach to taxation across Nigeria, which could lead to improved efficiency in tax collection and enhance economic stability. Should the states comply, it could represent a significant step towards more effective fiscal governance in the country.