“You’re Not Fulfilling Your Obligations as a Citizen if You Don’t Pay Tax” – President Bola Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has called on Nigerians to take tax payment seriously, saying it is essential for funding national development projects such as roads, healthcare, education, and welfare programmes for vulnerable citizens.

He made the appeal on Friday, May 15, while speaking at the Africa CEO Forum held in Kigali.

According to him, many citizens demand better public services but fail to contribute through taxes, which makes development difficult to sustain.

Tinubu said:

“Nobody wants to pay taxes. Yet everyone expects development. You want good roads and well-equipped hospitals, but you don’t want to contribute through taxes. The question is: how do we fund development and secure the future of our children? A citizen who pays tax is a citizen. If you are not paying taxes and not exempted, then you are not fulfilling your obligation.”

The president also used the opportunity to defend his administration’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market. He described the policies as tough but necessary steps to stabilise the economy.

He explained that Nigeria could no longer afford subsidy payments and systems that encouraged corruption and fuel smuggling.

Tinubu added:

“It was necessary to reset and reform the economy. We were spending future generations’ resources before they were born.”

Reflecting on the country’s past economic situation, he noted that several states were unable to pay workers’ salaries despite Nigeria’s oil wealth. He also pointed out that the country was spending heavily on fuel subsidies while refineries remained inactive.

According to him, this situation was no longer sustainable.

Although he admitted that the reforms initially caused hardship and criticism, he said early results now show signs of improvement.

He explained that the naira has become more stable and predictable, helping businesses and government agencies plan better.

Tinubu further stated that savings from the reforms have allowed the government to expand support programmes for students and vulnerable households, including education assistance and direct welfare interventions.