Edo State Team Visit MVAA To Strengthen Collaborations, Drive Revenue Innovation

In a bid to strengthen interstate collaboration and advance its revenue modernization agenda, a delegation from the Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) embarked on a working visit to the headquarters of the Lagos State Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVAA) in Alausa, Ikeja. The visit aimed to understudy the operational framework of MVAA, particularly in areas such as vehicle registration, licensing, and automation processes, with the goal of adopting best practices to enhance efficiency in Edo State’s revenue system.

The delegation, led by Mrs. Osaremen Ogedengbe, Secretary to the Edo State Revenue Service, commended the Lagos MVAA for its structured systems, transparency, and operational excellence. She described the visit as “an eye-opener that will significantly impact Edo State’s e-revenue transformation drive,” emphasizing the value of learning from Lagos State’s advanced vehicle administration structure to improve service delivery back home.

Receiving the delegation, the Permanent Secretary of MVAA, Mr. Abdul-Rasheed Muri-Okunola, gave an overview of the agency’s core operational departments, including Licensing and Records, which manages vehicle registration and number plate issuance; Dealers’ License, responsible for auto trade permits; and the Control and Regulation of Licenses Department, which oversees driver’s licensing. He noted that Lagos remains a trailblazer in motor vehicle administration, particularly with the establishment of the state-owned Number Plate Production Plant in Oshodi a key innovation that has improved efficiency and service quality.

During the interactive session, discussions centered on enforcement, data management, and public engagement strategies. Mr. Muri-Okunola clarified that traffic law enforcement in Lagos is handled by agencies such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Service (VIS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), while MVAA focuses solely on vehicle documentation and regulatory functions. On data sharing, he explained that the Lagos State Data Protection Law imposes certain constraints, and that MVAA operates independently, with only a physical proximity to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS).

Further presentations were made by senior MVAA officials. Mr. Bolaji Pitan, Chief Licensing Officer, detailed the distribution process of number plates from the Oshodi plant to 57 licensing stations across Lagos State, ensuring smooth accessibility and accountability.

Similarly, Mr. Abiodun Shasanya, Director of Dealers’ License, stressed the importance of annual renewals by registered auto dealers to ensure compliance and maintain operational integrity. The visit concluded with both parties expressing optimism about future partnerships and knowledge exchange to drive improved efficiency and innovation in revenue administration across Nigerian states.