The Lagos State Government through the Office of the Internal Audit under the leadership of Dr. Mrs. Oyeyemi Ayoola, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-olu conducted a high-tech training in collaboration with the University of Calgary and other renowned private audit consulting firms for Internal Auditors of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state on how to boost the, figure generated from non-tax internally generated revenue.

Speaking at the 5 days training that started on Monday, 22, and ended Friday, 26 January 2024 at NECA Events Centres, Alausa, Ikeja.

The host, Dr. Mrs. Ayoola, thanked the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu for approving the training which is part of the THEMES PLUS agenda of using technology on a global scale to enhance government activities.

She further stated that the training is to equip the state government MDAs auditors on how to make use of global ideas and knowledge in blocking all leakages in revenue collection as it concerns the non-tax government revenues using technology which is known as e-audit.

She revealed that the impact of the training on the participants will be so enormous that they will be able to carry out electronic auditing in revenue collection, billing, and reconciliation. Excel reporting as auditors.

The S. A said the knowledge gained by the participants will be transferred to other auditors in other sectors including the local government through the participants as audit ambassadors so that the local government can also increase their revenue by blocking leakages.

Stating the general effect of the training on the state and the citizens, she said, "The effect of the training will be so enormous on the state and the citizens because when government blocks all leakages it will lead to more revenue, and when the government is having more revenue, it will enhance infrastructures development by building more infrastructures for the citizens to make life better."

She likens the problem of low revenue in the system to a result of not getting the people to pay, with the knowledge acquired, they will get more people to pay which will raise the percentage of the non-tax revenue.

The Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Internal Audit Mrs. Kikelomo Arinola Dawudu believed that driving the economy with technology is apt which get one to the destination faster and yield greater results and mentioned that there are lots of non-tax internally generated revenue in the state.

"With technology usage, I believe more results will be achieved and all those leakages from various's non-tax internally generated revenue will be blocked right from the collection to the end which will yield greater results".

The participants were taken through a series of classes and sessions by seasoned auditors from the University of Calgary via Zoom platform and professional chartered auditors in Nigeria who shared practical knowledge and technical know-how on various topics and discussions that can be applied in the state to boost government revenue.

Participants spoke with expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu for the training and are optimistic that the revenue collection in the state will get a boost as they are charged with the global knowledge that is applicable in the state.

Taorid Fajimi, an Auditor from The Newr Town   Development Agency, said the Governor's approval of the training has shown that the driver of the state is moving ahead in terms of performance and public-private partnership for development and described the present state of revenue in the state.

"The state of revenue in Lagos state both tax and non-tax have performed so well in the past and looking ahead  to boost it as much we are taking notice of all the deliverables both inward and outward without any gap in our revenue performance." He said.

Mrs. Rasheedat Keji from Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASSRA), said the State has 70% accounting for tax revenue and the state wants to move from that to non-tax revenue as auditors are not focusing on that aspect of revenue before now, and with the training, the non-tax revenue will be boosted by taking the knowledge acquired to others auditors within and outside her agency so the set target of raising the non-tax performance from 20 to 40% or 60% is achievable.