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LIRS Highlights Importance of Tax Compliance for Access to Free Services

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Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has reiterated that the provision of FREE West African Examinations Council, WAEC registration for SS3 students in state-funded secondary schools is a vital policy of the Lagos State Government and that free education policy from kindergarten to SS3 is still in operation.

This initiative, part of the THEMES PLUS agenda, is included in the government’s broader efforts to provide essential services such as affordable housing, efficient transportation, free healthcare, youth and small business empowerment programs, enhanced security, and better road infrastructure, among others.

Mr. Ayo Subair, Executive Chairman of LIRS, stated, “It is standard procedure to require a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) to access government services. To obtain a TCC, individuals must file their annual tax returns for the applicable assessment year and ensure their tax payments are currently based on their declared income.”

He highlighted that this requirement has been in practice for a long time and aligns with Section 85 of the Personal Income Tax Act (PITA) 2004 (as amended).

It is important to emphasize that every resident of the state, whether in formal employment or not, is required by law to file annual tax returns, declaring their income and paying any taxes due. This requirement is backed by the Nigerian Constitution, it is also the law, as stipulated in the PITA and part of the social contract between the government and residents.

The Lagos State Government is dedicated to offering quality and efficient services to its residents. As part of this mission, it mandates that all taxable individuals register with the tax authority, submit their returns, and pay applicable taxes to maintain an updated Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC). Mr. Subair explained that tax compliance is essential for the sustainability of public programs and services.

He noted that requiring a TCC for access to free services is not a new policy but a longstanding practice intended to foster fairness and transparency in using public resources. Tax revenues help fund various public programs that benefit millions of Lagos residents. For informal sector taxpayers, who might not have detailed financial records, the government has introduced a presumptive tax of ₦10,100 (comprising ₦10,000 in annual tax and a ₦100 development levy) to facilitate their inclusion in the tax net.

To enhance convenience and streamline the process, LIRS has deployed staff and agents to markets and schools, establishing one-stop centers where individuals can obtain their TCC without needing to visit tax offices. Flexible payment options, including installment plans, are also available, though full payment must be completed before the TCC is issued. He also added that the TCC of guardians will be accepted from students who do not reside with their biological parents.

“The aim is fairness, accountability, and sustainability,” emphasized Mr. Subair. “This policy is not about inflicting hardship, but rather ensuring that everyone, including those in the formal sector, contributes their fair share to sustain the provision of essential services.”

By meeting their civic responsibilities, residents play a role in the growth and development of Lagos State, reinforcing the government’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its citizens.


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Ugo Onwuaso is an ICT enthusiast. He believes technology should be used for general good. He holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from the Lagos state University. Dear Reader, Your support matters. But we believe that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. That is why, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and finance and how they affect lives. Our incisive and analytical view of how technology news affects the daily life help individuals and organizations make up their minds. Quality journalism costs money. Today, we're asking that you support us to do more. Kindly support our effort to deliver technology and finance journalism to everyone in the world. Donate as little as N1,000. Bank transfers can be made to: UBA Plc 1017156876 Communication Week Media Ltd

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IFC Partners Mohinani Group to Drive Plastic Recycling and Manufacturing in Nigeria, Ghana

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IFC has announced a partnership with Ghana-based manufacturer Mohinani Group Limited to under-take the recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) from plastic waste in Ghana and Nigeria, helping protect the environment and creating thousands of jobs in both countries.

Under the partnership, IFC will provide a loan of $37 million to help Mohinani Group subsidiaries Polytank Ghana Limited and Sonnex Packaging Nigeria Limited to establish PET recycling plants in Ghana and Nigeria. Each plant will have the capacity to produce 15,000 tons of recycled PET (rPET) resins annually that will substitute virgin PET resins used to make food grade and beverage packaging containers.

90 percent of the raw materials will be sourced from local small businesses involved in plastic collection. Combined, the new plants are expected to create more than 4,000 direct and indirect jobs across the value chain and approximately US$21 million in annual savings from imports for each country.

PET is a polymer resin of the polyester family, widely used for making containers for liquids and foods. Using recycled plastic waste for production will prevent harmful pollutants from being released into the environment and reduce the need for virgin plastics. This will lower greenhouse gas emissions because recycled plastics have a smaller energy footprint than new plastics.

“The rPET project by the Mohinani Group was born out of a vision to close the bottle-to-bottle recycling loop in Africa and the Group’s dedication to advancing environmental sustainability,” said Roshan Mohinani, Strategy and Transformation Manager for Mohinani.

“It is also inspired by our Group’s purpose of improving the quality of lives in Africa, as this initiative is expected to create over 4,000 jobs along the value chain in Nigeria and Ghana, thereby providing economic empowerment to a significant number of young people, particularly women.”

“IFC’s partnership with Mohinani underscores our dedication to promote environmental sustainability and economic development in Ghana and Nigeria,” said Dahlia Khalifa, IFC Regional Director for Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa. “By recycling up to 30,000 tons of PET waste annually, these new plants will protect the environment and substitute imports with locally recycled materials.”

IFC will also provide advisory services to strengthen Mohinani’s environmental and social practices and its capacity for efficient and sustainable PET recycling operations.

The project aligns with IFC’s strategies for Ghana and Nigeria which are focused on mitigating climate change, job creation, and economic transformation. It is also consistent with the World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan 2021-2025, which aims to reduce the use of virgin plastic resins and greenhouse gas emissions in the packaging materials value chain.


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SEC Urges State Governments to Explore Investment Opportunities in Capital Market

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As part of strategies to harness the potentials inherent within the various states for wealth creation, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to embark on investor education for state governments across the country.

Dr. Emomotimi Agama, the Director General of SEC, disclosed this during a meeting with a team from the World Bank Group and the International Finance Corporation (IFC)  in Abuja.

He stated that the Commission would approach the state governments to help them understand the many opportunities in the capital market, and strive to enhance their understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and regulatory frameworks.

According to him, “Imagine setting up factories that will produce goods that can be exported and earning foreign exchange. A lot of Nigerians would be employed and that would lead to wealth creation and economic development.

“That is why the Commission will continue to emphasize education, because if they do not know, there is little they can do until they know. Sometimes it is not because they don’t want to do it, it is just because they don’t know and it is our responsibility to give this vital knowledge for wealth creation.There are some states in the country that are so rich but nothing is happening there. All of their wealth is in the ground.”

He added that the strategic approach will commence soon with the Executive Council of a state in northern Nigeria, to speak to them about the opportunities in the capital market.

“We will create guides, reports, and policy briefs that explain capital market opportunities for state governments, we will translate complex financial concepts into simple, actionable insights and we will use case studies from Nigerian states that have successfully raised capital through bonds or attracted investments in the capital market.

“We believe strongly that if we go out and speak to these people, get them into understanding exactly the benefits and how it is important, get them to manage their own assets meaningfully well, and harness them for greater economic growth for the states, things will begin to change, it is our responsibility to change the narratives and we will keep at it,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Mr. Tom Ceusters, Director, Treasury Market Operation IFC, said the delegation of the World Bank Group and IFC were on a  two weeks mission to Nigeria to have deep conversations with regulators and organisations in the financial sector with a view to coming up with plans to help their endeavours.


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Meta to Begin Layoffs Across All Operations from Today

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Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, is set to implement company-wide layoffs starting Monday, February 10, 2025.

Meta to Begin Layoffs Across All Operations from Today

Notifications will begin at 5 a.m. local time in most countries, including the United States.

However, due to local regulations, employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands will be exempt from these cuts.

Staff in over a dozen countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa will receive their notifications between February 11 and February 18.

The layoffs are expected to affect approximately 5% of Meta’s workforce.

They will target the company’s lowest performers in what is termed “performance terminations.”

This move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to streamline operations and focus on key areas of growth.

Concurrently, Meta is expediting the hiring of machine learning engineers and other essential engineering roles.

The hiring process is scheduled to take place between February 11 and March 13, aligning with Meta’s strategic priorities for 2025.

Unlike previous company-wide layoffs, Meta plans to keep its offices open on Monday and will not issue any additional updates regarding the decisions.

The company has declined to comment further on the internal memos detailing these plans


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