Kigali || President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said Nigerians must accept higher tax compliance and difficult economic reforms if the country is to fund infrastructure, healthcare and long-term development, defending his administration’s controversial fiscal policies as necessary to stabilise Africa’s most populous economy.
Speaking during a panel session on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum Friday, Tinubu said citizens often demand better roads, hospitals and education while resisting taxation, arguing that sustainable development cannot happen without stronger government revenues.
“Nobody wants to pay taxes ordinarily,” Tinubu said. “Every human being expects development, but the question they don’t answer is: are you willing to pay for it?”
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The Nigerian leader, whose administration embarked on sweeping reforms including the removal of petrol subsidies and foreign exchange liberalisation, compared the economic adjustment process to labour pains, saying the country was beginning to emerge from a difficult transition.
“There is a very bright light at the end of the tunnel,” Tinubu said, adding that the economy was becoming more stable and predictable for businesses and households.
Tinubu’s comments come as the government intensifies efforts to widen the tax net and improve revenue collection in a country where tax-to-GDP ratio remains among the lowest globally.
But with the implementation of the tax reforms which began in January, Africa’s biggest oil producer aims to increase its tax as a share of GDP from about 13 percent in 2025 to 18 percent next year.
Read also: Nigeria moves to boost tax-to-GDP ratio to 18% amid fiscal reform drive
His administration recently elevated tax reform advocate and former fiscal policy chairman Taiwo Oyedele to finance minister, reinforcing signals that tax reforms will remain central to economic policy.
“If you are not a taxpayer and not exempted, then you are not a citizen,” Tinubu said in one of the session’s most striking remarks, highlighting his administration’s push to strengthen fiscal discipline.
The president said governments cannot continue funding public services through borrowing and subsidies that strain future generations.
Nigeria’s fuel subsidy removal in 2023 triggered a surge in living costs and sparked widespread criticism, but Tinubu maintained the measures were unavoidable to prevent deeper economic deterioration.
“We cannot continue to spend the future of generations yet unborn,” he said.
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Tinubu also signalled continued support for large domestic companies, arguing that strengthening local industries was essential for job creation and economic expansion.
He defended the use of locally produced cement for major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, saying the approach reduces pressure on foreign exchange and promotes domestic manufacturing.
“My philosophy is Nigeria first,” he said.
The president described the 700-kilometre coastal highway project as a transformative infrastructure initiative aimed at connecting underserved regions and expanding economic opportunities across the country.
Tinubu further called for stronger regional and international security partnerships to address worsening instability across West Africa, warning that insecurity was undermining Africa’s progress.
“We cannot do it alone,” he said, referring to Nigeria’s collaboration with neighbouring countries and global partners on security challenges.
While acknowledging the pain caused by the reforms, Tinubu said difficult decisions were necessary to reposition Nigeria’s economy and restore investor confidence.
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