LASG Reiterates commitment On Transparent Taxation
By Mohammed Adekola
Lagos State Government has reiterated its commitment to effective and transparent taxation, just as states intensify efforts to boost revenue for infrastructure development.
Lagos governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu declared this at the investiture ceremony of Mr Innocent Ohagwa as the 17th President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), assuring of state’s cooperation with the institute to drive vouluntary tax compliance.
Sanwo-olu represented by Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Opeyemi Ogungbo, lauded the institute’s influence in shaping national taxation and reforms proven to have enhanced tax system and professional practice.
He expressed confidence in the capacity of the 17th President to lead CITN to new heights, citing his track records and expertise in taxation spanning over three decades which have earned him prestigious roles within and outside the institute across the continent.
Sanwo-olu charged Ohagwa on innovative practice, emphasizing his emergence came at a critical point in Nigeria’s fiscal landscape, while he pledged fullest support and collaboration.
In a keynote themed, “The Tax Professionals of Tomorrow: Skills, Ethics and Innovation,” Professor of Accounting at Nasarawa State University, Muhammad Mainoma
noted that traditional tax model become obsolette for evolving global economy, and heightened demand for accountability and transparency.
Global initiatives like Base Erosion and Profit Shifting(BEPs) project, Common Reporting Standard (CRS) and push for global minimum tax are redefining tax jurisdictions.
He added, ” The society demands a higher standard of ethical conduct from tax practitioner. In an age where public trust in institutions is fragile, tax professional play a key role in ensuring fair and transparent taxation. Ethical lapses not only harm client’s interest but also damage public confidence in the
system as a whole.”
Ohagwa pledged commitment to service, stating that his priorities align with the institute’s strategic plan. Some of his identified action points included capacity enhancement for taxation stakeholders, collaboration with key stakeholders on implementation of recent fiscal and tax reforms and improvement of service delivery channels and process, amongst others.
