President Bola Tinubu has declared that individuals who fail to pay taxes to the appropriate authorities cannot be regarded as citizens of the country.
The President made the statement on Friday while speaking at the ongoing Africa CEO Forum in Rwanda.
According to Tinubu, many people desire good infrastructure and public services but are unwilling to contribute through taxation, which he described as essential for national development.
“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,” he said.
He explained that citizens often demand better roads, hospitals, and social services without considering the financial resources required to provide them.
“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?” Tinubu stated.
Reflecting on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the President stressed the importance of proper funding and prioritising taxation to prepare for unforeseen global challenges.
“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 further maintained that tax payment defines responsible citizenship for both individuals and companies.
“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,” he said.
