Lagos trains revenue officers in AI-powered tax system

The Lagos State Government has taken a significant step towards achieving its 2025 revenue goals by training 450 revenue officers on the Lagos Revenue Portal and its Artificial Intelligence Chatbot, Madam Shikini.

In a statement obtained by The PUNCH, the training, organised by the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, drew participants from over 100 revenue-generating Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

Speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Ogungbo Opeyemi, commended the participants, describing Lagos State’s civil servants as “Champions” whose dedication has been instrumental in the state’s revenue growth.

“The leap and progress recorded in our revenue couldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support and dedication of each and every one of you,” Ogungbo said.

He emphasised that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu launched the LRP in August 2024 to revolutionise revenue collection in Lagos.

The governor also issued a statewide circular mandating all revenue-generating MDAs to integrate with the LRP as a “one-stop-shop” for revenue matters.

“As we embark on this crucial training, we are reminded of the importance of aligning ourselves with the statewide mandate that requires the integration of all revenue-generating MDAs under a single, cohesive revenue framework,” Ogungbo stated.

He added that the introduction of a Unique Payer ID is central to the reforms, enabling secure, transparent, and efficient tracking of revenue transactions across all platforms.

“The statewide circular mandating the integration of all revenue-generating MDAs places a clear emphasis on the role of this Unique Payer ID in ensuring that we can track and monitor all revenue transactions in a secure, transparent, and efficient manner,” he said.

Speaking to journalists at the sidelines, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Corporate Finance and Strategy, Akintayo Sanwo-Olu, highlighted the importance of tax compliance and ongoing reforms.

He explained the need for both civil servants and citizens to fulfill their tax obligations to support the state’s revenue generation efforts.

“For us, it’s one of the other measures we’re taking in order to engage, educate, and let the fellow civil servants that are with us in this administration understand the basis for why there’s such a huge revenue drive,” Akintayo said.

He stressed that ensuring every officer in the administration understands their role is vital to meeting revenue targets and fully utilising the state’s budget.

“We need to ensure that every officer within our administration is well aware of the requirements and what is required of us to ensure that all our revenue targets are met over the next year 2025,” Akintayo added.

The training aims to strengthen Lagos State’s tax system by leveraging technology-driven solutions, aligning with its long-term vision for revenue growth and financial transparency.