Juliet Ezeh
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to prioritize tax payment as a fundamental responsibility necessary for national development, stressing that public demands for infrastructure and services cannot be met without adequate revenue.
Speaking on Friday at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, the president said many citizens expect improved public services such as quality healthcare and road infrastructure but are often unwilling to contribute through taxes.
According to him, taxation remains the backbone of any functioning economy, regardless of social class.
“Nobody wants to pay taxes. Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, middle class, and to the poor,” he said. “Every human being expects development, but the question they don’t answer is how do you pay for it.”
The president noted that resistance to taxation and public infrastructure projects has continued to hinder progress, pointing out that citizens often oppose developments that affect them directly.
“You want a good highway, but you don’t want it to go through your land. You want a well-equipped hospital, and you don’t want to pay taxes. How do we care for the vulnerable and protect the future of the children?” he asked.
He emphasized that taxation is essential for funding critical sectors, including healthcare, education, and research, particularly in light of global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Tax is a priority. A citizen who pays tax is a citizen, whether corporate or individual. If you are not a taxpayer and not exempted, then you are not a citizen,” he added.
Tinubu also defended the economic reforms introduced at the start of his administration, describing them as difficult but necessary steps to prevent financial collapse.
He said Nigeria could not continue policies that placed long-term burdens on future generations, especially in a global economic environment.
“It was very necessary to reset, recalibrate and reform the economy. It is a fake life to think you can continue subsidy that is wasteful. It encourages falsification of papers and smuggling,” he said.
The president highlighted the country’s past fiscal challenges, noting that a majority of states struggled to meet basic obligations such as salary payments.
“When you look at the economic problem of the country, you see that you are almost going bankrupt. Of the 36 states, 27 were unable to pay workers’ salaries. Where is the money?” he queried.
He further pointed to inefficiencies in the oil sector, including the lack of functional refineries, as part of the issues necessitating urgent reforms.
“You are an oil producer, you are earning, you are giving fuel, yet you have no refinery that is functional. It is not possible to continue that trend,” he said.
Tinubu acknowledged that the reforms have been painful for many Nigerians but insisted they were essential for long-term stability and growth.
“It is difficult, it is painful, but just like childbirth, the process may be hard, yet it brings joy at the end,” he stated.
He revealed that during the peak of public criticism following the reforms, he deliberately avoided media commentary to remain focused on policy implementation.
“I stopped reading newspapers and commentary because I knew there would be pushback. I was sitting on a hot burner, but we stayed the course,” he said.
Despite ongoing economic challenges, the president expressed optimism about the country’s trajectory, stating that recent developments indicate signs of recovery.
“Today, there is a bright light ahead. The naira is more stable and predictable. Planners can budget and citizens can plan their lives better,” he said.
Tinubu added that the reforms have enabled the government to expand support for vulnerable populations, including direct financial assistance to low-income households.
He also highlighted improvements in the education sector, noting that more students now have access to schooling due to government interventions.
“Students who would have stayed out of school because their parents could not afford fees are now in school. Some are even receiving allowances and upkeep,” he said.
The president concluded by reaffirming his commitment to sustaining reforms and addressing remaining challenges, expressing readiness to do more if given another term in office.