56m Nigerians Not Tax Compliant – Adeosun

•   Nigeria needs sure income for infrastructure, job creation

BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun says over 53 million Nigerians out of about 70 million productively active population are not tax compliant in the country.

This is as she declared that regular payment of taxes by Nigerians remains fundamental to the country’s drive at sustainable socio-economic growth and development.

Mrs Adeosun also said certainty in tax revenue inflow will lead to more investment by the Federal and State Governments in infrastructure; job; and wealth creation across the nation.

Speaking in Enugu at the sensitization programme on the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme (VAIDS) hosted by the Enugu State Government, the Minister said Nigeria has a poor scorecard in tax payment, with only 14 million people paying tax out of about 70 million economically active people.

“Payment of taxes is a fundamental requirement for our growth story. Nigeria has a very poor scorecard in tax payment. When oil came, we abandoned the old systems of tax collection that provided most of our infrastructure since colonial days”, Adeosun said

She stated that “So, many people who should be paying are not paying anything. It is the development of taxes that will help the States and the Federal Government to achieve their true potentials.”

Maintaining that payment of taxes has become imperative to avoid future collapse in oil prices and the resultant recession, the Minister assured that the Federal Government would avoid the boom and bust cycles by aligning with nations that have predictable revenues in order to ensure progressive improvements in the quality of life for the citizens.

The event was attended by Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Deputy Governor, Hon (Mrs) Cecilia Ezeilo; Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Edward Uchenna Ubosi; Enugu State Commissioner of Finance, Hon. Eucharia Uche Offor; members of the State Executive Council; members of the Enugu State House of Assembly, and traditional rulers among others.