Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Pay Taxes, Defends Fuel Subsidy Removal and FX Reforms

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians to take tax payment seriously, saying it is crucial for funding national development and providing essential services.

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

According to Tinubu, many citizens expect better roads, functional hospitals, quality education, and improved welfare programmes but are unwilling to contribute through taxes.

“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?” he said.

Tinubu stressed that tax payment is a civic responsibility, adding that citizens who are not exempted but refuse to pay taxes are failing in their obligations to the country.

“A citizen who pays tax is a citizen. If you are not paying taxes and not exempted, then you are not fulfilling your obligation,” he added.

The president also defended the major economic reforms introduced by his administration, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market.

He described the policies as difficult but necessary steps taken to stabilise Nigeria’s economy and secure the future of coming generations.

Tinubu said the country could no longer continue with subsidy payments and economic policies that encouraged corruption, waste, and smuggling.

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

Speaking on the state of the economy before the reforms, Tinubu noted that several states struggled to pay workers’ salaries despite Nigeria being an oil-producing country.

“You are producing oil, spending heavily on fuel subsidy, yet your refineries are not working. That trend was unsustainable,” he stated.

The president admitted that the reforms initially caused hardship and attracted criticism, but said early results show that the measures are beginning to yield positive outcomes.

He said the naira has become more stable and predictable, making it easier for businesses and government institutions to plan.

Tinubu also said savings from the reforms have allowed the government to expand support programmes for students and vulnerable households through education assistance and direct intervention initiatives.