According to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, a person is not a citizen if they fail to pay tax to the government.
This was said by Tinubu on Friday at the Africa CEO Forum, which is currently in Rwanda.
“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.
“Every human being expects development, but the question they don’t answer is, how do you pay for it? You want a very good highway, but you don’t want it to go through your land. How do you develop?
“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?
“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.
“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,” Tinubu said.
Tinubu’s bold declaration underscores the importance of tax compliance and active citizenship as pillars of national development. His call for responsible tax payment reflects a commitment to fostering economic growth and strengthening national unity.
