OPL&CE Hosts CSR Forum to Empower Lagos MSMEs

Lagos State’s Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE) organized a landmark Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Forum on March 6, 2026, at Assbifi Hall in Alausa, Ikeja, to deepen ties between government and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Themed “Beyond Commerce: Building Our Lagos Tomorrow Today,” the event gathered business owners, corporate leaders, and policy specialists to fuse enterprise expansion with community upliftment. This initiative underscores Governor’s administration’s push for participatory governance in Nigeria’s economic powerhouse.​

Keynote Highlights from Leadership

Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, clarified in his keynote that the forum aimed to foster partnerships, not impose taxes. He positioned OPL&CE as a vital bridge for citizen-government dialogue, enabling private sector input into policies. Robust CSR efforts, he added, could unlock tax rebates, signaling Lagos’ dedication to a business-friendly ecosystem.​

Engr. Sholabomi Shasore, the office’s Permanent Secretary, hailed MSMEs as “the heart of the economy” for their role in employment and daily services. She stressed the forum’s goal to integrate entrepreneurs into state-building, complementing agencies like the Ministry of Commerce, Wealth Creation, and Employment Trust Fund. Attendees were urged to voice operational hurdles openly, assuring them of policy tweaks via inter-agency collaboration.​

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Expert Sessions on CSR and Tax Compliance

CSR specialist Mr. Kingsley Kezinibe emphasized integrating social impact into business strategies for governance and community trust. He praised Lagos government’s responsiveness and called on firms to invest in safer neighborhoods beyond profit. Complementing this, KPMG’s Ms. Oluwakemi Gbadebo demystified the Nigeria Tax Reform Acts 2025, detailing e-invoicing and fiscal tools for MSME efficiency and transparency.​

Interactive discussions spotlighted bureaucratic delays in government deals and e-invoicing queries, with OPL&CE pledging follow-up coordination. The event ended with a commitment to ongoing public-private synergy, framing CSR as a smart investment in social stability and brand strength. This forum aligns with broader Lagos efforts, like recent tech-stakeholder engagements in Alausa, to advance development agendas.