Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) on Land Resources in Nigeria for Sustainable Governance: Scope and Limitations

Abstract

This paper emphasizes a consideration of internally generated revenue as a potential for growth
and development. The major sources of land-based revenue for the states and local government
should be known and what the constraints of these taxes could be. The government has to deepen
and widen the revenue base. This paper therefore examines the pertinent problems of revenue
generation with a view to improving internally generated revenue from land based taxation in
Nigeria. The study adopted systemic review of past relevant literatures. Though there are various
types of internally generated revenue but this paper focuses on tax on land resources. However,
the fundamental principle is equally applicable to other forms of internally generated revenue. An
efficient, fair and transparent tax system not only improves fiscal performance but also furthers
good governance and strengthens legitimacy. The scope of the tax restricted to land resources
which fall within the purview of Estate Surveyors and Valuers was also reviewed for proper
understanding. The findings revealed property based taxation associated with the use and value of
landed properties. The concluding part of this paper focused on recommendations for effective and
efficient property based taxation delivery system in Nigeria and useful recommendations were
thereafter proffered.