Adopt tax reforms now, FG tells Ondo Govt

The Federal Government has urged the Ondo State Government to fully adopt the newly enacted tax reform laws and align its fiscal framework with national policy.

The call was made on Monday in Akure by the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, during a public lecture held to mark Ondo State’s 50th anniversary.

Oyedele said the state should immediately implement the tax reform acts, which took effect nationwide on January 1, 2026, and also pass a State Tax Harmonisation Law to eliminate multiple and illegal levies.

“Implement the new tax reform acts, enact the State Tax Harmonisation law to curb nuisance and illegal taxes,” he said.

“The state can even host the national Tax Ombud office for the South West region to lead in taxpayer rights and protection,” he added.

He added that Ondo could deepen transparency by issuing annual tax accountability reports to residents and creating a central online portal for local governments to publish budgets, development plans and audited accounts.

Also speaking, the President’s Special Adviser on Energy, Mrs Olu Arowolo-Verheije, said President Bola Tinubu remained committed to accelerating Ondo State’s development through major infrastructure projects.

“Ondo hosts 71 kilometres of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway — a landmark project that will transform Nigeria’s Atlantic coastline,” she said, adding that work was ongoing on other federal roads and facilities, including the Ondo Deep Sea Port in Araromi.

“The port’s licence was revalidated just last month. When completed, it will be West Africa’s deepest seaport,” she noted.

In his address, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said Ondo State had made steady progress over the past five decades and was positioning itself for a future driven by innovation and diversification.