"YOU CAN'T ASK FOR DEVELOPMENT WITHOUT PAYING TAX" - PRESIDENT TINUBU
President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to consistently pay taxes, saying it is the foundation for achieving national development and funding public services. Speaking on Friday at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, he said citizens often demand better infrastructure such as hospitals and roads but are unwilling to provide the tax contributions needed to deliver them. “Nobody wants to pay taxes. Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, middle class, and to the poor,” he said, noting that people expect development without considering how it will be financed. He questioned how government can provide healthcare, support vulnerable citizens, or invest in research and development without adequate tax revenue. He added, “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,” stressing that tax payment is a civic responsibility. Tinubu also defen...