The National Orientation Agency has said Nigerians must fulfil their tax obligations before demanding accountability from government, stressing that tax compliance gives citizens the moral and legal standing to question how public resources are used.
A Programme Officer at the National Orientation Agency, Mrs Abiodun Olayeni-Ali, stated this on Thursday during an interactive session at the maiden edition of Civic Talks organised by the Centre for Inclusive Social Development in Abuja.
According to her, citizens who do not contribute to government revenue through taxes cannot legitimately demand answers from public officials.
“You have to pay your tax, and then you can hold your government accountable. Once you are not paying, it is difficult for you to really talk. If you are not paying tax, you have no right to ask what the government is doing”, she said.
She lamented that many Nigerians do not pay taxes, noting that the burden is largely carried by civil servants and a limited number of salaried workers.
“The majority of Nigerians do not pay tax. It is civil servants and a few people working in some companies that really pay tax in this country”, she said.
Olayeni-Ali also alleged that some companies manipulate payroll records to reduce the taxes deducted from their employees.
