By Iyunade Grace
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has criticized Nigeria’s current tax laws, stating that prosperity cannot be achieved by taxing poverty. He emphasizes that the country’s fiscal challenge is not about raising revenue, but about making citizens wealthier, and that taxation should be a genuine social contract rooted in sincerity, fairness, and concern for citizens’ welfare.
Obi argues that empowering small and medium-sized enterprises is key to sustainable economic growth, as they create jobs, raise incomes, and naturally expand the tax base. He notes that Nigeria’s tax-to-GDP ratio is among the lowest globally, yet the burden of taxation falls disproportionately on the poor and struggling middle class.
The Labour Party leader expresses concern over alleged discrepancies in the newly implemented tax laws, questioning the morality of demanding higher taxes under a manipulated legal framework. He emphasizes that taxation should be a means to uplift citizens, not a tool for further hardship.
Obi calls for a fair, lawful, and people-centered tax system that supports production, rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and restores trust between government and citizens. He warns that celebrating increased government revenue while citizens grow poorer undermines good governance.
He stresses that a prosperous nation is built on justice, equity, and shared prosperity, not just revenue collection. Obi’s statement highlights the need for a more equitable and sustainable approach to taxation in Nigeria.
The criticism comes amid ongoing debates about Nigeria’s economic policies and the impact of taxation on citizens.
