In a recent interview shared by Arise News, the Executive Secretary of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation, Biodun Ajiboye, has weighed in on Nigeria’s ongoing debate around taxation, civic responsibility, and national development, stressing the need for attitudinal change among the country’s elite.
Speaking during the programme, Ajiboye criticized what he described as a culture of tax evasion by wealthy Nigerians, arguing that it undermines government capacity and weakens public institutions. According to him, sustainable governance cannot thrive when citizens, especially those with substantial means, refuse to meet their basic civic obligations.
He pointed out what he sees as a clear contradiction in the behaviour of some affluent Nigerians who obey tax laws abroad but resist similar obligations at home. In his words, “A lot of our big people put Rolls-Royces on the road. They don’t pay tax. So why do you go to England and pay tax accordingly? Why do you go to America and comply with their tax laws?”
Ajiboye maintained that taxation remains a critical source of revenue for governments to fund infrastructure, social services, and security. He argued that without a strong tax culture, the burden of governance unfairly shifts to poorer citizens while public expectations of government performance remain high.
He further linked the issue of tax compliance to broader concerns about patriotism and national values, emphasizing that development requires collective sacrifice and honesty from all segments of society. According to him, meaningful reforms will only succeed if citizens, particularly political and economic elites, lead by example.
The remarks come amid renewed national conversations on tax reform, economic recovery, and the need to broaden Nigeria’s revenue base in a challenging economic climate.
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