Harmonisation of LG levies will boost food supply – CITN

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) over the elimination of illegal roadblocks and harmonisation of levies imposed on the transportation of agricultural produce across Nigerian states. The 17th President & Chairman of Council, Innocent Ohagwa, in a statement, described the decision as a step in the […]

The Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has commended the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) over the elimination of illegal roadblocks and harmonisation of levies imposed on the transportation of agricultural produce across Nigerian states.

The 17th President & Chairman of Council, Innocent Ohagwa, in a statement, described the decision as a step in the right direction towards improving the food supply chain and addressing food inflation—reported at 21.14% in May 2025, an increase of 2.19% compared to the previous month.

He stressed the decision would balance the fiscal coordination and administrative streamlining play in achieve national development objectives.

“It is well established that the widespread imposition of illegal levies and multiple taxes on agricultural transportation has disrupted supply chains and adversely impacted food affordability across the nation.

“This decision, if uniformly implemented across all states, will not only improve food availability but also enhance public trust, reduce cost-push inflation, and support the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians,” the statement reads.

He called for synergy among the subnational and local governments and the law enforcement agencies to implement the directive.

“We urge His Excellencies, the state governors, to closely monitor their local government chairmen and the chairmen of their state’s Internal Revenue Service to ensure the full implementation of this directive.

“The Executive Secretary of the Joint Tax Board should liaise with the Inspector-General of Police to implement this directive.

“The governors on their own part too, should ensure the implementation of statutory allocation of the required percentage of the state internally generated revenue to their local government councils in order to cushion the funding pressure on the local government council,” the statement reads.

He reiterated the association’s commitment to discharging its responsibility, urging all tiers of government to continuously implement people-centred reforms that will improve the standard of living, reduce the cost of doing business, and foster inclusive economic growth.

 

“As the professional body statutorily empowered to regulate tax practice in Nigeria, CITN has long advocated against the multiplicity of taxes and unregulated collection practices. These practices increase compliance burdens, discourage investment, and ultimately result in revenue losses for the government,” he said.