Former Ogun State Governor Urges Taxation of Mansion Owners to Boost State Revenue

Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba, has advocated for the taxation of mansion owners in states across the country, specifically mentioning Ogun state and South Eastern States as examples, as a means to bolster internally generated revenue (IGR).

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Osoba highlighted the necessity for the state government to explore avenues for revenue generation, especially from affluent property owners.

Osoba emphasized the need for a more proactive approach by the government in collecting tenement rates, citing his own experience as an elite and former governor. He revealed that despite his willingness to pay rates, he often had to inquire about his obligations, indicating a lack of streamlined systems for rate collection.

Drawing a parallel to his experience in London, where he pays council tax for his property, Osoba suggested that similar measures could be implemented in Ogun State and states across the country.

“There are many ways state government can make money, all those of us building mansions. In Southeast mansions, in many parts of the country they should be made to pay ternament rates and everything.

He urged the state governments to consider imposing taxes on mansion owners across the state, pointing out that such measures have been successfully implemented in other regions of Nigeria.

He commended the current administration led by Governor Dapo Abiodun for efforts to computerize the system, envisioning a comprehensive database of landlords to facilitate efficient revenue collection.

Osoba reiterated the potential for the state government to augment its finances significantly by tapping into various avenues, particularly targeting affluent property owners. He urged swift action from the government, emphasizing that taxation on mansion owners could serve as a substantial source of revenue for the state.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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