In a renewed effort to strengthen its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base and improve Property Tax compliance, the Lagos State Government has engaged five additional Land Use Charge (LUC) Consultants. This strategic move increased the number of LUC consultants from five to 10.
The Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Abayomi Oluyomi, speaking during an engagement session with the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of existing and new LUC Consultants in Alausa recently, disclosed that the state is adopting a different approach to drive revenue growth.
He affirmed that with more hands on deck, the state aims to expand property enumeration, identify defaulters more effectively, and ultimately increase revenue collection for infrastructure development.
Oluyomi further explained that despite having nearly three million properties across Lagos, only 900,000 properties have been identified and captured in the State Government’s database. He also cited a high rate of default among property owners and the overwhelming span of control for existing consultants as key challenges prompting the expansion of the consultant network.
“This expansion is not just about numbers; it is about capacity, reach, and our unwavering commitment to ensuring fairness and transparency in property taxation. These consultants will bring added efficiency, improve property data accuracy, and drive compliance, especially in underserved areas.”
The Honourable Commissioner revealed that the new consultants have been given six-month contracts to demonstrate their capability. Their performance will be evaluated based on clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), after which extensions may be considered. The consultants, who were carefully selected through a rigorous screening process, are expected to commence field operations immediately.
To support transparency and accountability, the Commissioner also stressed the importance of a feedback mechanism, encouraging consultants to regularly report field challenges so that the government can respond effectively. “This marks the beginning of a new dawn in our revenue administration. We expect all consultants – both old and new – to hit the ground running and work collaboratively to fulfil the State’s vision,” said Oluyomi.
He, therefore, charged property owners to pay their Land Use Charge bills promptly, warning that defaulters will be charged to the Land Use Charge Court in accordance with the provisions of the Law. “Many of these properties are generating income. It should not be difficult for them to pay the token required by the government to develop infrastructure that benefits everyone. The law is clear – every property, built or unbuilt, is subject to LUC,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Alao Tajudeen Mahmud reiterated the Commissioner’s call to action, urging all consultants to be “up and doing.” He highlighted that the ultimate goal is to increase both the enumeration coverage and the revenue generation of the state government.
He emphasised that the Land Use Charge is a property tax, not a personal tax, and called on property owners to view their payments as essential contributions to the growth and sustainability of the state.“An inclusive and digitally-enabled property tax regime will position Lagos for long-term fiscal sustainability. It is a strategic tool in our journey to build a smarter, resilient and more prosperous city”, Mahmud noted.
Speaking on behalf of the Consultants, the Managing Director/CEO, Advent, Mr. Segun Olukoga pledged their collective commitment to the state’s objectives. “We are ready to work hand-in-hand to deliver results, improve the database, promote equity, and provide constant feedback. We will be intentional in our efforts to ensure the success of this initiative,” Olukoga affirmed.
