The Management Staff of Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) attended a capacity development programme organised by Integrated Consultancy Management & Accountancy (ICMA) Professional Services, as a way of giving back to OGIRS and Ogun State Government.  

Speaking at the 2-day training at Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme, "Re-Imagining Tax Administration: Strategies for Efficiency, Compliance & Reforms", the Executive Chairman, OGIRS, Mr. Olugbenga Olaleye said the initiative was aimed at improving leadership skills and enhancing professional competence as there is no end to human knowledge, hinting that tax officials must learn and re-learn in preparation for the New Tax Reforms taking effect from January 1, 2026.

Olaleye urged participants to garner from the knowledge and apply it in their respective fields and Directorates, advocating the need for continued training and up scaling, as well as innovative ideas and collaboration within the organization, in a bid to grow the tax net while increasing public awareness.  

"When you have opportunities to participate in training, utilise it, participate, cooperate, and contribute effectively," he said.

He hinted that OGIRS needed to reposition itself structurally, strategically, and operationally while also building a transparent data driven process.

"Develop your leadership skills beyond just functional capability in order to have interface with taxpayers," he submitted.

He emphasised that the success of any reform depends on the preparedness of those at the helm of affairs, stressing that the new tax regime demands adaptability, professionalism and commitment from all stakeholders. 

Earlier, Chief Executive Officer (ICMA), Professional Services, Alhaji Lukman Buari, appreciated participants, saying the country has embarked on bold reconstruction of taxes in order to eliminate multiple taxation and over reliance on oil revenue, among others.

One of the resource persons, a Deputy Director at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Dr. Temitope Babajide, delivered a lecture on New Tax Reforms, emphasising that the objectives of the new tax reforms are to provide a unified fiscal legislation governing taxation in Nigeria and harmonising tax administration across tiers of government. 

On his part, Vice Chairman, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr. Prince Oyebade Oyedepo reiterated that partners should co-develop a clear partnership framework outlining shared revenue targets, hinting that professional bodies, such as educational institutions, traditional rulers, as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) could be beneficial to tax agencies to harness individuals’ taxation.

In their reactions, Coordinating Director, Mr. Taiwo Ogundimu and Director, OGIRS, Field Operations, Mrs. Oluwaseun Olajube, commended the organisers for the timely initiative, saying it would be useful in their respective fields and also prepare them in generating more revenue into government coffers, especially now that the new tax reforms would soon be implemented.