The International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration has criticised some 21 governors for ‘undermining’ the Federal Government’s revenue drive in the gaming and betting sectors.
Executive Vice President for Africa Affairs of the institute, Prof Tunji John Asaolu, spoke against the backdrop that 21 State Attorneys-General are seeking a Supreme Court order to dissolve the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC) and the Nigeria Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF).
Asaolu, at a press conference yesterday in Abuja, condemned the push, “seen as an attempt to weaken federal oversight in a sector vital for national revenue generation.”
He emphasised that 16 other states supported the continuation of a federal collection of lottery revenues, which are distributed monthly among all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
His words: “These federal agencies employ over 20,000 staff and play a critical role in the regulation and oversight of the betting and gaming industry.
“The National Assembly empowered the NLRC to regulate the sector, while the NLTF collects and utilises revenue for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
Asaolu highlighted concerns that lottery operators, many of whom are foreign-owned, have deliberately shortchanged the government by failing to remit 27.5 per cent and 25 per cent of revenues due.
This, according to him, has led the President Bola Tinubu administration to implement reforms to automate the lottery revenue system to boost the nation’s revenue base.
“Operators such as BetNaija, owned by Russian interests, Ghana Games, and Baba Ijebu, owned by the Australian government, have evaded proper remittances.
President Tinubu’s efforts to automate the revenue system will help curb this abuse and increase revenue for the country,” Asaolu added.
