Lagos Revenue, Services Compared with New York City

Lagos State’s 2025 budget stands at N3.3 trillion, with a projected revenue of N2.9 trillion. Despite generating significant revenue, the state’s infrastructure and services remain inadequate.

In contrast, New York City’s budget is $116 billion, with a substantial portion allocated to environmental maintenance.

New York City generates revenue through various taxes, including $35 billion from property taxes and $17 billion from income taxes. The city’s property tax revenue alone exceeds Nigeria’s entire budget for 200 million people.

The comparison highlights differences in taxation and public service funding between Nigeria and the United States. Americans pay local, state, and federal taxes, which fund public services and infrastructure. Nigerians often overlook these differences when comparing their country’s infrastructure and services to those abroad.

Lagos’ budget focuses on key areas, including infrastructure sustainability, economic diversification, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, and governance reforms. The state’s revenue framework projects significant internally generated revenue and federal transfers, with a deficit financing plan in place.

The disparity between Lagos’ budget and New York City’s budget raises questions about the effectiveness of Nigeria’s taxation system and public service funding. While there are areas for improvement in Nigerian governance, understanding the differences in revenue generation and allocation can provide insight into the challenges facing the country’s infrastructure and services.