By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that Nigerians who fail to pay taxes should not regard themselves as citizens, stressing that taxation remains essential for national development.
Tinubu made the remark during a panel session held on the sidelines of the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda.
According to the President, many citizens demand better infrastructure and public services but are unwilling to contribute financially through taxation.
“Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, the middle class, or the poor. Everyone wants development, but the question they don’t answer is how the government pays for it,” Tinubu said.
He noted that citizens often expect good roads, hospitals, and other amenities without supporting government revenue generation.
“You want a very good highway, but you don’t want it to go through your land. How do you develop?” he asked.
The President further questioned how governments would fund healthcare, education, and research without tax revenue.
“You want a good hospital, well-equipped hospital, and you don’t want to pay taxes. How do you care for the vulnerable, and how do you protect the future of the children? How do you even research and develop the pharmaceutical industry?” he said.
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Tinubu stressed the need for countries to strengthen their financial systems and prioritize tax collection.
“We remember COVID-19, we remember what happened to the world at large. So, in a world where you cannot predict what exactly you must do, you must think about where the source and application of funds should be engineered, so that tax is a priority,” he added.
Tinubu concluded by insisting that tax payment is a civic responsibility.
“A citizen who pays taxes is a citizen, whether corporate or individual. If you are not a taxpayer and not exempted, then you are not a citizen,” the President stated.
His comments come amid ongoing efforts by the federal government to implement tax reforms aimed at boosting revenue generation and improving service delivery across the country.
