The Ogun State Internal Revenue Service (OGIRS) has partnered with the Joint Tax Board (JTB) to introduce the 2025 Single Interstate Road Tax Stickers, an initiative designed to enhance revenue generation for the state. This new tax sticker system aims to streamline road tax payments by eliminating the need for multiple stickers and simplifying business operations. During a conference held in Abeokuta, the executive chairman of OGIRS, Olugbenga Olaleye, emphasized the importance of this annual initiative not only to raise awareness but also to combat the circulation of counterfeit stickers, an ongoing concern since the program’s inception in 2022.
Present at the conference, Hezekiah Sobayo, the Director of Field Operations at OGIRS, represented Olaleye and highlighted the vital role of collaboration among various stakeholders in overcoming challenges related to tax collection and compliance. Sobayo’s remarks underscored the principle that progress requires collective action, stating that all partners must unite to ensure a better future for Ogun State and Nigeria as a whole. He indicated that OGIRS will be working closely with vendors to address and mitigate the hurdles they face in selling these stickers, thereby facilitating a smoother operational process for all involved.
Olaleye elaborated on the operational framework of the JTB, clarifying that the board’s primary role is not in revenue collection but rather in coordinating and regulating the tax collection processes across states. This clarification was critical for understanding the division of responsibilities within the new initiative. He also highlighted improvements in the 2025 road tax stickers, which feature enhanced security measures designed to differentiate them from previous editions and to minimize the risk of fraud in sticker possession and display.
The Director of Other Taxes at OGIRS, Oluyomi Dawodu, acknowledged the cooperative spirit among vendors involved in the initiative, which she considers essential for the success of sticker sales in Ogun State. Her remarks emphasized the collaboration among OGIRS, the State Ministry of Environment, and the 20 local governments in effectively managing the sales of the stickers. By working together, these bodies aim to create a more accountable and systematic approach to road tax compliance and to alleviate any existing bottlenecks in the sales process.
Vendors themselves, represented by Niyi Adebanjo and Jamiu Bello, expressed their support for the OGIRS and JTB initiative. They praised the stakeholders for launching this program and reiterated their commitment to improving the sales of the stickers, which are vital for the state’s revenue generation. Furthermore, they urged authorities to take action on the challenges that arise from inter- and intra-state operations, indicating a need for streamlined processes that would ease their operational difficulties and ensure better service delivery.
In summary, the partnership between OGIRS and JTB to launch the 2025 Single Interstate Road Tax Stickers is a strategic move toward enhancing revenue generation and streamlining tax processes in Ogun State. By addressing issues of counterfeit stickers and advocating for collaboration among all stakeholders, this initiative represents a significant step forward in tax compliance and operational efficiency. The commitment shown by vendors and the proactive measures being taken by OGIRS and the JTB signal a promising future for tax reform in the region, potentially setting a benchmark for similar initiatives in other states across Nigeria.
