States Harmonize Tax Regimes in Alignment with National Reform Agenda

Anambra State has formally adopted the Harmonised Taxes and Levies Law, becoming the third Nigerian state to enact this key fiscal legislation. The move signals accelerating momentum among sub-national governments to overhaul revenue administration systems in line with broader national objectives.

Governor Charles Soludo signed the bill into law in Awka, according to an official statement from the Joint Revenue Board. This development follows closely on the heels of similar action by Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, reinforcing a coordinated state-level alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s national tax reform agenda. As Tinubu urges Nigerians to support economic modernization efforts, these state-level reforms represent a concrete step toward that goal.

The recent enactments build upon the pioneering passage of the Ekiti State Revenue Administration Law earlier. Together, they mark a significant shift toward standardized, transparent, and taxpayer-focused revenue systems across states. The harmonized law specifically standardizes the types of taxes and levies collectible by state authorities, aiming to eliminate the confusion and burden of multiple, overlapping charges that have long plagued businesses and citizens.

Official statements indicate these reforms are designed to dismantle fragmented practices, leveraging technology to prioritize fairness, certainty, and economic efficiency. Beyond administrative improvement, the new regime is expected to curb arbitrary collections and enhance transparency at the sub-national level. This is seen as crucial to restoring institutional confidence and creating a predictable environment for commerce and investment, particularly for SMEs often most affected by informal levies.

Ekiti State’s law, the first of its kind, serves as a model. It repeals older legislation and centralizes collection authority within the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service, directly curtailing unauthorized third-party collectors. This focus on systemic integrity and efficiency at the state level complements the federal government’s focus on fiscal responsibility, a priority underscored when Tinubu cancels $1.42bn in wasteful expenditures. While these tax reforms progress, the government continues to address other pressing national issues, from the urgent situation where abduction schoolchildren is a critical concern to responding when Afenifere raises alarm on security matters and pursuing accountability in cases of alleged N4bn fraud.

The coordinated adoption of harmonized tax laws by Anambra, Zamfara, and Ekiti presents a tangible blueprint for sub-national revenue transformation, directly supporting national economic reform goals.