Lagos reports drop in multiple taxation as NATOP opens first secretariat

By Faheem Lawal

The Lagos state government has said that the long-standing challenge of multiple taxation in the state has significantly reduced, following the harmonisation of tax collection by both the state and federal governments.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Oloruntoyin Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila, made this known at the opening of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators’ (NATOP) first-ever secretariat in Lagos, where she represented the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka.

Oyekan-Ismaila said the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has remained committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses, particularly within the tourism sector, and stressed that the harmonisation directive came from the governor himself.

While maintaining that multiple taxation has become a thing of the past, the Permanent Secretary acknowledged that some operators still attempt to avoid their tax obligations, making it difficult to completely rule out isolated cases. She added that some businesses remain reluctant to pay taxes altogether, noting that proof of payment would protect compliant taxpayers from being charged repeatedly.

“In Lagos State, I can tell you categorically that it’s reduced because Mr. Governor insisted that all taxes in Lagos State must be harmonised. And the Federal government has also done the same thing.

So, the issue of multiple taxation is something that happened in the past. It doesn’t happen again. And where such happens, our office is always available and ready to take this up, but I can tell you for a fact that there is no multiple taxation in Lagos State,” she said.

On the opening of NATOP’s first secretariat, Oyekan-Ismaila described the development as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to promoting tourism and creating platforms for industry players to expand their businesses. She said the facility would support tourism practitioners and offer opportunities for networking, training, and promoting Lagos and Nigeria as preferred destinations.

Joy Alexander-Ozeigbe who is Chairman of the Planning Committee for NATOP’s 10th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and a National Executive member of the association, described the opening of the secretariat as a landmark achievement that gives NATOP a permanent identity and strengthens its position in both the domestic and international travel market.

Alexander-Ozeigbe added that the physical presence would complement the association’s digital operations, making it easier for stakeholders around the world to connect with NATOP. She credited NATOP’s president for the vision behind the project, saying she came with the vision and the idea.

“The opening of this secretariat is a landmark event because this is our first secretariat. It is a big deal, and I would like to say mighty congratulations to my president, Hajia Abolade Mustafa, and every member of NATOP. The world has gone global, the world has gone digital, but we now have a physical venue where we can be reached from any part of the world,”she said.

On the association’s forthcoming 10th AGM, Alexander-Ozeigbe said discussions would centre on strategies to promote Nigeria as a tourism destination and attract more local and international visitors, with government representatives, tourism directors and industry operators expected to deliberate on ways to unlock the country’s tourism potential.