The Lagos State Permanent Secretary, Office of the Chief of Staff, Mr Semiu Kadri, has called for stronger financial discipline, accountability and tax compliance among Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as a means of driving business growth and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ongoing tax reform agenda.
Kadri made the call at a programme organised by the Financial Literacy and Accountability Initiative in collaboration with ATM Investment Limited. The event, themed “Building a Vibrant Tax Culture and Financial Accountability for Sustainable Growth,” was held at the Lagos Theatre, Epe.
Describing the initiative as timely and strategic, Kadri said efforts aimed at strengthening financial literacy and accountability among MSMEs were critical to enterprise sustainability and overall national development.
According to him, MSMEs remain the backbone of the economy, contributing significantly to job creation and economic activity, but many struggle due to poor financial management and weak tax compliance.
He stressed that embracing proper record-keeping, transparency and a positive tax culture would not only enhance business growth but also improve government revenue generation needed for infrastructure and social development.
Kadri noted that President Tinubu’s tax reform agenda is designed to create a fair, efficient and growth-friendly tax system, adding that the active participation of MSMEs is essential to the success of the reforms.
He commended the organisers for creating a platform to educate entrepreneurs on financial accountability, urging business owners to take advantage of such initiatives to strengthen their operations and long-term sustainability.
Also speaking at the event, stakeholders emphasised the need for continuous engagement and capacity-building programmes to help MSMEs navigate financial responsibilities and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
