Nobody wants to pay taxes. Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, middle class, and to the poor. Every human being expects development, but the question they don’t answer is how do you pay for it. You want a good highway, but you don’t want it to go through your land.”~ President Bola Tinubu says

President Bola Tinubu has reiterated the importance of taxation as a major tool for national development, stressing that although many citizens dislike paying taxes, it remains necessary for economic growth and infrastructure development.

The President made the statement while addressing concerns surrounding tax compliance and the expectations of Nigerians for improved public services and infrastructure. According to him, development cannot be achieved without adequate revenue generation through taxation.

“Nobody wants to pay taxes. Taxation is not friendly to the wealthy, middle class, and to the poor. Every human being expects development, but the question they don’t answer is how do you pay for it. You want a good highway, but you don’t want it to go through your land,” President Tinubu said.

The statement highlights the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen tax administration and improve revenue generation to support national projects. The administration has consistently maintained that tax reforms are essential for funding critical sectors such as transportation, healthcare, education, and other public services.

Economic experts have noted that sustainable development in any nation depends largely on citizens’ willingness to comply with tax obligations. They also stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the management of public funds to encourage greater trust between the government and taxpayers.

The Tinubu administration continues to push for reforms aimed at creating a more efficient, fair, and investment-friendly tax system capable of driving long-term economic development across Nigeria.