Law Reform Commission Hosts Stakeholder Forum on Advancing Lagos’ Fiscal Sustainability

The Lagos State Law Reform Commission has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening the State’s fiscal foundation through modern, transparent, and future-driven legislation. This resolve was showcased during the Engagement Forum on Advancing the State’s Fiscal Sustainability Through Law Reform, which brought together key stakeholders across Lagos’ fiscal and governance ecosystem to discuss strategies for ensuring long-term financial stability and efficiency.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Mrs. Oluyemisi Ogunlola, described law reform as a catalyst for fiscal transformation, emphasizing the need for Lagos to modernize and harmonize its revenue laws in line with the realities of a rapidly growing megacity. She stressed the importance of digitizing revenue systems, blocking leakages, expanding the tax base, and improving coordination among agencies to strengthen the State’s fiscal sustainability.

Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), reiterated the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to good governance through robust and efficient legal frameworks. He emphasized the strong collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the Lagos State Law Reform Commission (LAWRECOM), and the Office of the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, noting that this partnership is essential to achieving a transparent and responsive fiscal system.

Also speaking at the event, the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Mr. Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, described fiscal sustainability as “the lifeblood of effective governance.” He underscored that well-crafted laws and regulatory reforms are indispensable tools for safeguarding the State’s economic future and ensuring Lagos remains at the forefront of innovation, accountability, and growth in Nigeria’s fiscal landscape.

In his presentation, the Guest Speaker, Professor Emmanuel E. Okon, Director of Research at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, asserted that “fiscal sustainability begins with legal sustainability,” highlighting the critical role of strong legal and institutional frameworks in shaping sound fiscal policies..

The engagement, held at the State Treasury Office (STO) Resource Center, Alausa, Ikeja, on Monday, October 20, 2025, aligns with the State’s THEMES+ Agenda and the United Nations’ SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Reaffirming its commitment, the Commission pledged to continue engaging, collaborating, and innovating—because Lagos must not only grow; it must lead. The future is Lagos.