₦airaland Forum

When I tell people that Nigeria's problem is not a lack of taxes, I mean it. In fact, increasing income taxes and heavily taxing businesses will cripple Nigeria. Mark my words.

Nigeria is not Europe. Nigeria is a country suffering from multidimensional poverty.

Here is the ugly reality.

To the Nigerian government, someone earning ₦20 million a year is considered rich and should be taxed aggressively. But let me break it down using myself as an example.

A young Nigerian graduates from university and, in most cases, will never see a decent-paying job. Many of the best jobs are reserved for the children, relatives, and associates of politicians. Only a tiny fraction of people outside that circle will ever earn salaries of ₦1 million per month or more.

The majority are forced into the informal sector to survive.

Ironically, the Tinubu tax reforms are targeting the informal sector, which remains the largest employer in Nigeria. This sector is made up of people who built themselves from nothing through trading, online businesses, freelancing, and other forms of hustle. In fact, much of the focus is now on internet-based income because it is easier to track. Look at crypto, freelancing, e-commerce, and other online ventures.

The people in this class rarely benefited from Nigeria.

They fought through poor electricity, terrible roads, inadequate healthcare, insecurity, expensive internet, lack of government support, and non-existent business incentives. Nobody helps you build your business. You are abandoned and expected to figure it out on your own.

It started with VAT on major technology platforms such as Meta and Google. Many young Nigerians built businesses by importing products from China and running Facebook ads to sell them. I have hustled online myself. It is lonely, stressful, unpredictable, and often exhausting.

Government claimed it was taxing Meta and other foreign companies, but those companies simply passed the cost to Nigerians. They lost nothing.

After paying import duties, levies, shipping costs, bank charges, and every other expense associated with bringing goods into the country, these entrepreneurs were now paying VAT on advertising as well.

The government generated billions from this VAT alone.

What was done with that money to improve internet access, support online businesses, encourage innovation, or make digital entrepreneurship easier?

Nothing.

As usual, the money disappeared into funding the lifestyles of politicians.

Then it did not stop there.

After paying all those charges, you are still expected to pay income tax on whatever remains. Then you pay VAT again when you spend your income. When you trace a single stream of income from start to finish, it is possible that 30–40% of its value has been consumed by one tax, levy, charge, or another.

That is excessive for a country whose citizens are overwhelmingly poor.

Let me explain why.

In Nigeria, the government does not take care of your parents when they grow old. That responsibility falls on you.

Most people earning ₦20 million annually come from struggling families. They are not starting life with inherited wealth. They are starting from scratch.

They need to furnish a home, support parents, help siblings, build a family, pay rent, and create stability.

At the same time, government support is almost non-existent.

Public primary and secondary schools are in such poor condition that most people who can afford alternatives avoid them. So you are pushed toward expensive private schools.

You must provide your own water.

You must pay for your own security.

You must find your own healthcare.

Even inside many estates, residents pay security levies because they cannot rely on the state.

I once lost a phone and went to the police. I was asked for money before they would track it.

Recently, a relative ran away with money belonging to a family friend. We reported it to the police. Again, money was demanded before they would act.

You are essentially on your own.

Europe is largely individualistic. Africa is community-driven.

If you earn a little money here, there are often several people depending on you. That reality exists because of decades of poverty and economic failure.

Heavy taxation in such an environment directly makes ordinary people poorer.

The European taxation model works because European countries generally provide strong social support systems. Citizens can access quality education, healthcare, emergency services, and welfare programs without being wealthy.

What exactly do Nigerians get in return?

According to a report by Punch:

https://punchng.com/fg-earmarks-nearly-n1tn-for-suvs-empowerment-amid-borrowing-pressure/#google_vignette

> "In its analysis of the 2026 Federal Government budget, Tracka said the allocation comprised N15.13bn for the procurement of 39 SUVs and N947.70bn for 2,579 empowerment projects, bringing the total to N962.83bn."

According to another Punch report:

https://punchng.com/my-office-allocated-n780m-not-n1bn-for-church-outreach-kalu/

> "...In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu stated that the actual allocation is N780 million..."

Then there is this report from Leadership Newspaper:

https://leadership.ng/kano-earmarks-n1-5bn-for-mass-wedding-of-1500-couples/

> "Kano State government has earmarked N1.5 billion for the sponsorship of a mass wedding involving 1,500 couples as part of efforts to support the underprivileged and discourage immorality in the state."

Now let's start with the first one.

The Federal Government wants to spend over ₦15 billion on 39 SUVs.

My question is simple:

For a country that claims to be broke...

For a country that removed fuel subsidies and justified it with the need for fiscal discipline...

For a country that borrows relentlessly...

For a country aggressively pursuing more taxation from an already struggling population...

Why are luxury SUVs a necessity?

If these vehicles are for mobility during empowerment projects, why can't officials use vehicles worth ₦15–25 million?

Why can't they use locally assembled vehicles?

Why can't they drive older Lexus SUVs?

Why must everything associated with political office be luxury?

You cannot tell citizens that the country is broke while maintaining one of the most extravagant political cultures in the world.

Are these decisions deliberate, or do the people making them genuinely not understand the consequences?

We already fund official vehicles, allowances, security details, and lifelong benefits for many politicians.

Must every vehicle also be luxury-grade?

You are spending the sweat of people who receive almost nothing in return.

I struggle to earn every dollar online.

Many Nigerians do.

We battle global competition, unstable electricity, poor infrastructure, and an unpredictable economy.

Yet the reward for our efforts is more taxation while public funds continue to be wasted.

Can government publicly account for every beneficiary of these empowerment projects?

Can it justify why such expensive vehicles are necessary?

And why does it seem politicians buy new SUVs every budget cycle?

Then there is the second story.

A member of the House of Representatives had hundreds of millions allocated to church outreach activities.

Why?

Why should taxpayer money fund religious outreach?

Do traditional worshippers receive similar allocations?

Do Muslims?

Do atheists?

Why should public funds be used this way?

Government agencies already exist to address drug abuse, rehabilitation, and social intervention.

Those agencies already receive budget allocations.

Why are responsibilities being duplicated?

People voluntarily donate to churches. Churches can raise funds from willing supporters.

Taxpayer money should not be financing religious outreach programs.

It is a misuse of public resources.

Then look at the third story.

Kano State is budgeting ₦1.5 billion for mass weddings.

In a country battling insecurity, poor education, inadequate healthcare, poor roads, weak institutions, unemployment, and economic stagnation, this is considered a priority.

Why?

Shouldn't government be investing aggressively in education?

Particularly STEM education?

Shouldn't we be producing engineers, scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs capable of transforming our natural resources into finished products?

Why is a mass wedding program taking priority over foundational development?

This is the type of initiative wealthy societies pursue after solving basic social problems.

Nigeria has not solved those problems.

Many communities still struggle with water, sanitation, healthcare, electricity, security, and quality education.

Yet billions are being allocated to weddings.

Please answer me honestly.

Are these decisions deliberate?

Or do many of our leaders genuinely lack the capacity to think strategically about development?

Because from the outside, it often feels impossible to explain.

I want politicians in this country to understand something:

I am angry.

I am exhausted.

I am deeply disappointed.

You cannot claim Nigeria lacks money while spending extravagantly on luxuries.

You cannot demand more taxes from struggling citizens while refusing to address waste and corruption.

Nigeria's biggest problem is not a lack of revenue.

It is corruption.

It is waste.

It is reckless spending.

If we drastically reduced waste and redirected resources into productive sectors, Nigeria would begin moving forward.

We need massive investments in healthcare.

We need STEM-driven education.

We need housing reforms.

We need support for small businesses and the informal sector.

We need practical policies that help people create wealth.

As someone operating in the informal sector, I know firsthand how difficult it is. Banks often refuse to lend to service-based businesses regardless of how much money flows through their accounts.

The system feels designed to frustrate productivity.

And perhaps what hurts the most is that criticism is often treated as a crime.

If someone records the terrible condition of a police barracks and posts it online, the response is often not reform.

The response is intimidation.

Instead of fixing the problem, authorities frequently target the person exposing it.

That mentality must end.

No nation develops by silencing criticism.

One day, all of this will end.

No system lasts forever.

But before that day comes, I hope our leaders change course.

Because what is happening now is unsustainable.

This level of waste, indifference, and disconnect from ordinary Nigerians is becoming unbearable.

Please, change course.

Many of us are tired.

I know someone that pays a tax of 95,000 Naira monthly and she earns just a little above 400k.

That’s 23.4% of her monthly salary.

Sheuns:
I know someone that pays a tax of 95,000 Naira monthly and she earns just a little above 400k.

That’s 23.4% of her monthly salary.

Now, that is income tax o, the remaining amount would be taxed via VAT across most purchases, would be taxed via bank charges and various levies.
This is too much. That same person you just talked about would most likely have parents to care for, will have to sort out electricity, water, responsible for quality education, healthcare, security, it is too much bro, it is depressing. Why arent people seeing this?
We dont need that much on income tax, it is too much, govt should cut cost and invest the money in quality STEM course with plan to start producing citizens who can build televisions, cars, airplan, missles systems, etc. We need such, that is how to make money, convert our natural resources into finished goods. These politicians dont fund universities anymore but can buy SUV for 15billion. Why not go for SUV of about 12m per one and invest the remaining money into solving electricity problem? What is wrong with these men? I want a candidate who preaches cutting cost and blocking wastage. Heavy taxation such as this shows how mentally weak the people are.

Princedapace:
Now, that is income tax o, the remaining amount would be taxed via VAT across most purchases, would be taxed via bank charges and various levies.
This is too much. That same person you just talked about would most likely have parents to care for, will have to sort out electricity, water, responsible for quality education, healthcare, security, it is too much bro, it is depressing. Why arent people seeing this?
We dont need that much on income tax, it is too much, govt should cut cost and invest the money in quality STEM course with plan to start producing citizens who can build televisions, cars, airplan, missles systems, etc. We need such, that is how to make money, convert our natural resources into finished goods. These politicians dont fund universities anymore but can buy SUV for 15billion. Why not go for SUV of about 12m per one and invest the remaining money into solving electricity problem? What is wrong with these men? I want a candidate who preaches cutting cost and blocking wastage. Heavy taxation such as this shows how mentally weak the people are.

Brother, Tinubu and his so called tax policy is just aimed at milking people dry.

No light, no water, expensive fuel. We do everything for ourselves yet they want us to pay taxes on par with UK and the USA.

Pls can they tell us how much the US and UK politicians take from the taxes their people pay to fund their luxurious lifestyles as we have here.

If we speak on these things. The useless blinded supporters of these politicians will call us enemies of Nigeria.

How does it make sense to pay so much of one’s income on taxes yet there’s nothing one gains from it.

If you recall, when those guys in the senate were about purchasing new vehicles for themselves sometime in 2023, the justification one of them made is that they need SUVs because of bad roads. I was like road is bad, is it not better you fix the roads than spend billions on cars to ply bad roads? The IQ of many of those people are terribly low to the extent that what they think of is money money and money. They’re so blinded by greed that they don’t even want to leave a good legacy.

Sheuns:
Brother, Tinubu and his so called tax policy is just aimed at milking people dry.

No light, no water, expensive fuel. We do everything for ourselves yet they want us to pay taxes on par with UK and the USA.

Pls can they tell us how much the US and UK politicians take from the taxes their people pay to fund their luxurious lifestyles as we have here.

If we speak on these things. The useless blinded supporters of these politicians will call us enemies of Nigeria.

How does it make sense to pay so much of one’s income on taxes yet there’s nothing one gains from it.

If you recall, when those guys in the senate were about purchasing new vehicles for themselves sometime in 2023, the justification one of them made is that they need SUVs because of bad roads. I was like road is bad, is it not better you fix the roads than spend billions on cars to ply bad roads? The IQ of many of those people are terribly low to the extent that what they think of is money money and money. They’re so blinded by greed that they don’t even want to leave a good legacy.

Like bro, I dont understand how Nigerians are happy with this madness. I know how hard it is for me to make one dollar online, we are paying more than 30 percent total tax, we still will have to provide everything by our selves and still sort out families around. Nigeria is hell. Dont forget, all money for our natural resources have been taken over by govt. We are practically slaves in our country. This is why many are running away even to dangerous countries.
It is too much. The money is not enough yet. Do u know that if u work online and make let say 28m, u will be paying over 5m as tax. Guy, even the money never do young man fix his problems.

The write up is apt and Wisdom filled. But are Nigerians ready to act on this? The likes of helinues, hachenoire, richtaiwo, salewa97, muyico, freestuffng, yarimo, Burop will sabotage every wisdom you're trying to pass. That's the reality of been a Nigerian at present.

Oracleee:
The write up is apt and Wisdom filled. But are Nigerians ready to act on this? The likes of helinues, hachenoire, richtaiwo, salewa97, muyico, freestuffng, yarimo, Burop will sabotage every wisdom you're trying to pass. That's the reality of been a Nigerian at present.

What precisely do you need our validation for? Is it that you are too empty to express yourself without seeking our confirmation about your opinion?

helinues:
What precisely do you need our validation for? Is it that you are too empty to express yourself without seeking our confirmation about your opinion?

No one cares about your validation. The misinformation your spread is what brings worrisome. Not everyone can look through the sycophancy hence the pity for those who are at the receiving end of your misinformation. Seyi law went on live TV to void insecurity at a time lots of families were mourning their loved ones who died from insecurity in benue and southern Kaduna also the rest of the world and also kidnapping. Y'all here are spreading your falsehood and its worrisome I believe to God and man.

Oracleee:
No one cares about your validation. The misinformation your spread is what brings worrisome. Not everyone can look through the sycophancy hence the pity for those who are at the receiving end of your misinformation. Seyi law went on live TV to void insecurity at a time lots of families were mourning their loved ones who died from insecurity in benue and southern Kaduna also the rest of the world and also kidnapping. Y'all here are spreading your falsehood and its worrisome I believe to God and man.

Oya let me dare you to post one misinformation I made on this forum.

It's a daring oo, don't reply talking about something else

Oracleee:
The write up is apt and Wisdom filled. But are Nigerians ready to act on this? The likes of helinues, hachenoire, richtaiwo, salewa97, muyico, freestuffng, yarimo, Burop will sabotage every wisdom you're trying to pass. That's the reality of been a Nigerian at present.

Honestly, I don't know you exist. Wisdom demands you interact with your fellow "wise" men, not the "unwise". Now what is my business with the "apt and Wisdom filled" write up you stumbled on? Isn't it appropriate you engage the "Wisdom writer" so you gain more "Wisdom"?

Finally, note I don't interact with obedients because they are too "wise". So take this my reply as a rare privilege because you might not get it again for a very long time. At this point, I'm done with you. Bye.

helinues:
Oya let me dare you to post one misinformation I made on this forum.

It's a daring oo, don't reply talking about something else

Everything you post is misinformation even this comment you queried the so-called misinformation is information. If you think I'm been naughty, take a poll and see yourself and writeups from others point of view. Y'all don't separate lived reality from politics. I know y'all can be loyal to a political party, but blind followership is slavery.

Oracleee:
Everything you post is misinformation even this comment you queried the so-called misinformation is information. If you think I'm been naughty, take a poll and see yourself and writeups from others point of view. Y'all don't separate lived reality from politics. I know y'all can be loyal to a political party, but blind followership is slavery.

Did you go to school at all, can you comprehend? Do you understand the meaning of daring?

Daring is a challenge to provide evidence to back up your allegations not the rambling rousing you are doing

helinues:
Did you go to school at all, can you comprehend? Do you understand the meaning of daring?

Daring is a challenge to provide evidence to back up your allegations not the rambling rousing you are doing

Helinues, every of your post is misinformation. You can tender one that isn't and proofread it to lived reality. Do you understand better now? In short and in lame man's term, every thing you post on Nairaland as much as I've seen as been misinformation. I look and shake my head's over your post on how an entity can be this out of touch with reality. Let's piggyback and reverse what you said, bring a post of yours that you feel is not misinformation and let's go with it. From your presidents age olto everything you stand for and support. Shall we?

Princedapace:
When I tell people that Nigeria's problem is not a lack of taxes, I mean it. In fact, increasing income taxes and heavily taxing businesses will cripple Nigeria. Mark my words.

Nigeria is not Europe. Nigeria is a country suffering from multidimensional poverty.

Here is the ugly reality.

To the Nigerian government, someone earning ₦20 million a year is considered rich and should be taxed aggressively. But let me break it down using myself as an example.

A young Nigerian graduates from university and, in most cases, will never see a decent-paying job. Many of the best jobs are reserved for the children, relatives, and associates of politicians. Only a tiny fraction of people outside that circle will ever earn salaries of ₦1 million per month or more.

The majority are forced into the informal sector to survive.

Ironically, the Tinubu tax reforms are targeting the informal sector, which remains the largest employer in Nigeria. This sector is made up of people who built themselves from nothing through trading, online businesses, freelancing, and other forms of hustle. In fact, much of the focus is now on internet-based income because it is easier to track. Look at crypto, freelancing, e-commerce, and other online ventures.

The people in this class rarely benefited from Nigeria.

They fought through poor electricity, terrible roads, inadequate healthcare, insecurity, expensive internet, lack of government support, and non-existent business incentives. Nobody helps you build your business. You are abandoned and expected to figure it out on your own.

It started with VAT on major technology platforms such as Meta and Google. Many young Nigerians built businesses by importing products from China and running Facebook ads to sell them. I have hustled online myself. It is lonely, stressful, unpredictable, and often exhausting.

Government claimed it was taxing Meta and other foreign companies, but those companies simply passed the cost to Nigerians. They lost nothing.

After paying import duties, levies, shipping costs, bank charges, and every other expense associated with bringing goods into the country, these entrepreneurs were now paying VAT on advertising as well.

The government generated billions from this VAT alone.

What was done with that money to improve internet access, support online businesses, encourage innovation, or make digital entrepreneurship easier?

Nothing.

As usual, the money disappeared into funding the lifestyles of politicians.

Then it did not stop there.

After paying all those charges, you are still expected to pay income tax on whatever remains. Then you pay VAT again when you spend your income. When you trace a single stream of income from start to finish, it is possible that 30–40% of its value has been consumed by one tax, levy, charge, or another.

That is excessive for a country whose citizens are overwhelmingly poor.

Let me explain why.

In Nigeria, the government does not take care of your parents when they grow old. That responsibility falls on you.

Most people earning ₦20 million annually come from struggling families. They are not starting life with inherited wealth. They are starting from scratch.

They need to furnish a home, support parents, help siblings, build a family, pay rent, and create stability.

At the same time, government support is almost non-existent.

Public primary and secondary schools are in such poor condition that most people who can afford alternatives avoid them. So you are pushed toward expensive private schools.

You must provide your own water.

You must pay for your own security.

You must find your own healthcare.

Even inside many estates, residents pay security levies because they cannot rely on the state.

I once lost a phone and went to the police. I was asked for money before they would track it.

Recently, a relative ran away with money belonging to a family friend. We reported it to the police. Again, money was demanded before they would act.

You are essentially on your own.

Europe is largely individualistic. Africa is community-driven.

If you earn a little money here, there are often several people depending on you. That reality exists because of decades of poverty and economic failure.

Heavy taxation in such an environment directly makes ordinary people poorer.

The European taxation model works because European countries generally provide strong social support systems. Citizens can access quality education, healthcare, emergency services, and welfare programs without being wealthy.

What exactly do Nigerians get in return?

According to a report by Punch:

https://punchng.com/fg-earmarks-nearly-n1tn-for-suvs-empowerment-amid-borrowing-pressure/#google_vignette

> "In its analysis of the 2026 Federal Government budget, Tracka said the allocation comprised N15.13bn for the procurement of 39 SUVs and N947.70bn for 2,579 empowerment projects, bringing the total to N962.83bn."

According to another Punch report:

https://punchng.com/my-office-allocated-n780m-not-n1bn-for-church-outreach-kalu/

> "...In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu stated that the actual allocation is N780 million..."

Then there is this report from Leadership Newspaper:

https://leadership.ng/kano-earmarks-n1-5bn-for-mass-wedding-of-1500-couples/

> "Kano State government has earmarked N1.5 billion for the sponsorship of a mass wedding involving 1,500 couples as part of efforts to support the underprivileged and discourage immorality in the state."

Now let's start with the first one.

The Federal Government wants to spend over ₦15 billion on 39 SUVs.

My question is simple:

For a country that claims to be broke...

For a country that removed fuel subsidies and justified it with the need for fiscal discipline...

For a country that borrows relentlessly...

For a country aggressively pursuing more taxation from an already struggling population...

Why are luxury SUVs a necessity?

If these vehicles are for mobility during empowerment projects, why can't officials use vehicles worth ₦15–25 million?

Why can't they use locally assembled vehicles?

Why can't they drive older Lexus SUVs?

Why must everything associated with political office be luxury?

You cannot tell citizens that the country is broke while maintaining one of the most extravagant political cultures in the world.

Are these decisions deliberate, or do the people making them genuinely not understand the consequences?

We already fund official vehicles, allowances, security details, and lifelong benefits for many politicians.

Must every vehicle also be luxury-grade?

You are spending the sweat of people who receive almost nothing in return.

I struggle to earn every dollar online.

Many Nigerians do.

We battle global competition, unstable electricity, poor infrastructure, and an unpredictable economy.

Yet the reward for our efforts is more taxation while public funds continue to be wasted.

Can government publicly account for every beneficiary of these empowerment projects?

Can it justify why such expensive vehicles are necessary?

And why does it seem politicians buy new SUVs every budget cycle?

Then there is the second story.

A member of the House of Representatives had hundreds of millions allocated to church outreach activities.

Why?

Why should taxpayer money fund religious outreach?

Do traditional worshippers receive similar allocations?

Do Muslims?

Do atheists?

Why should public funds be used this way?

Government agencies already exist to address drug abuse, rehabilitation, and social intervention.

Those agencies already receive budget allocations.

Why are responsibilities being duplicated?

People voluntarily donate to churches. Churches can raise funds from willing supporters.

Taxpayer money should not be financing religious outreach programs.

It is a misuse of public resources.

Then look at the third story.

Kano State is budgeting ₦1.5 billion for mass weddings.

In a country battling insecurity, poor education, inadequate healthcare, poor roads, weak institutions, unemployment, and economic stagnation, this is considered a priority.

Why?

Shouldn't government be investing aggressively in education?

Particularly STEM education?

Shouldn't we be producing engineers, scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs capable of transforming our natural resources into finished products?

Why is a mass wedding program taking priority over foundational development?

This is the type of initiative wealthy societies pursue after solving basic social problems.

Nigeria has not solved those problems.

Many communities still struggle with water, sanitation, healthcare, electricity, security, and quality education.

Yet billions are being allocated to weddings.

Please answer me honestly.

Are these decisions deliberate?

Or do many of our leaders genuinely lack the capacity to think strategically about development?

Because from the outside, it often feels impossible to explain.

I want politicians in this country to understand something:

I am angry.

I am exhausted.

I am deeply disappointed.

You cannot claim Nigeria lacks money while spending extravagantly on luxuries.

You cannot demand more taxes from struggling citizens while refusing to address waste and corruption.

Nigeria's biggest problem is not a lack of revenue.

It is corruption.

It is waste.

It is reckless spending.

If we drastically reduced waste and redirected resources into productive sectors, Nigeria would begin moving forward.

We need massive investments in healthcare.

We need STEM-driven education.

We need housing reforms.

We need support for small businesses and the informal sector.

We need practical policies that help people create wealth.

As someone operating in the informal sector, I know firsthand how difficult it is. Banks often refuse to lend to service-based businesses regardless of how much money flows through their accounts.

The system feels designed to frustrate productivity.

And perhaps what hurts the most is that criticism is often treated as a crime.

If someone records the terrible condition of a police barracks and posts it online, the response is often not reform.

The response is intimidation.

Instead of fixing the problem, authorities frequently target the person exposing it.

That mentality must end.

No nation develops by silencing criticism.

One day, all of this will end.

No system lasts forever.

But before that day comes, I hope our leaders change course.

Because what is happening now is unsustainable.

This level of waste, indifference, and disconnect from ordinary Nigerians is becoming unbearable.

Please, change course.

Many of us are tired.

Sheuns:
Brother, Tinubu and his so called tax policy is just aimed at milking people dry.

No light, no water, expensive fuel. We do everything for ourselves yet they want us to pay taxes on par with UK and the USA.

Pls can they tell us how much the US and UK politicians take from the taxes their people pay to fund their luxurious lifestyles as we have here.

If we speak on these things. The useless blinded supporters of these politicians will call us enemies of Nigeria.

How does it make sense to pay so much of one’s income on taxes yet there’s nothing one gains from it.

If you recall, when those guys in the senate were about purchasing new vehicles for themselves sometime in 2023, the justification one of them made is that they need SUVs because of bad roads. I was like road is bad, is it not better you fix the roads than spend billions on cars to ply bad roads? The IQ of many of those people are terribly low to the extent that what they think of is money money and money. They’re so blinded by greed that they don’t even want to leave a good legacy.

What you guys are dealing with is more ideological than political, most of the problems you listed are only products of the major problem, now I am not here to blame any region or call any region a saint region without issues...

But if you look closely you will see the problem lies more in the regional ideologies and when those regions are in power with those of them who champion their regional ideology, then they do what their people want.

You asked a question, and I like that you asked that question which is:

is it deliberate?

Yes, it is, very deliberate, that's why there is no revolt with what is going on and if you speak out, you are immediately tagged as coming from one region..

I tell people that over 80% of the problems you see in Nigeria today was not by accident or mistake, it is deliberate because this is what some people want and they don't want the status quo to change, including the insecurity, you might be so shocked, To people like Gumi and his followers, Nigeria is on the right path.

To a lot of people from the south west(sorry to say), Nigeria is on the right path, whether they are being truthful to themselves is another thing...

The funny and annoying aspect about these whole thing is that these set very of people are ready to fight and go violent with anyone who tries to change the situation, that's why you see them attacking Peter Obi and his followers.

Like I said earlier I am not here to paint any region as a saint region without blame but if you closely look at the internal problems of Nigeria of today, they come majorly from 2 regions of Nigeria...

That's why most of the problems you listed here point more to their direction and a lot of them are in support...

Their leaders are only doing what majority of them want and that is why the leaders have their support.

This is one of the major reasons I gave up on the unity of Nigeria, I clearly saw what each region wants is not the same, their regional ideologies are more important to them than the progress of the entire country.

Even if Peter Obi becomes president today, his biggest challenge might be these 2 regions, they may fight him even worse than they fought Jonathan because his doings will not align with their ideologies.

Jonathan was largely hated and fought by these people because he wasn't aligning with their ideologies, that is why I keep asking them presently what was Jonathan's offense to them?

Because at the time they made it look like it was incompetence and corruption that made them fight him, but the reality today is saying otherwise...

To these set of people, it is all about ideological supremacy, the corruption and the incompetence are just the products, and they don't mind, that's why you don't see them talking about corruption and the things you listed under Tinubu's government because they are not bothered as long as the leaders are doing certain things they want, they are OK with the baggage that comes with it including the insecurity and other negative things that might also be affecting them..

First things first .... You quoted the entire post. That's not so smart.

2nd evidence of my description of you. You say 2 regions are responsible for the state of Nigeria.

Why is your region the least desired not even by the indigenes ? Why do people flee ?

Brendaniel:
What you guys are dealing with is more ideological than political, most of the problems you listed are only products of the major problem, now I am not here to blame any region or call any region a saint region without issues...

But if you look closely you will see the problem lies more in the regional ideologies and when those regions are in power with those of them who champion their regional ideology, then they do what their people want.

You asked a question, and I like that you asked that question which is:

is it deliberate?

Yes, it is, very deliberate, that's why there is no revolt with what is going on and if you speak out, you are immediately tagged as coming from one region..

I tell people that over 80% of the problems you see in Nigeria today was not by accident or mistake, it is deliberate because this is what some people want and they don't want the status quo to change, including the insecurity, you might be so shocked, To people like Gumi and his followers, Nigeria is on the right path.

To a lot of people from the south west(sorry to say), Nigeria is on the right path, whether they are being truthful to themselves is another thing...

The funny and annoying aspect about these whole thing is that these set very of people are ready to fight and go violent with anyone who tries to change the situation, that's why you see them attacking Peter Obi and his followers.

Like I said earlier I am not here to paint any region as a saint region without blame but if you closely look at the internal problems of Nigeria of today, they come majorly from 2 regions of Nigeria...

That's why most of the problems you listed here point more to their direction and a lot of them are in support...

Their leaders are only doing what majority of them want and that is why the leaders have their support.

This is one of the major reasons I gave up on the unity of Nigeria, I clearly saw what each region wants is not the same, their regional ideologies are more important to them than the progress of the entire country.

Even if Peter Obi becomes president today, his biggest challenge might be these 2 regions, they may fight him even worse than they fought Jonathan because his doings will not align with their ideologies.

Jonathan was largely hated and fought by these people because he wasn't aligning with their ideologies, that is why I keep asking them presently what was Jonathan's offense to them?

Because at the time they made it look like it was incompetence and corruption that made them fight him, but the reality today is saying otherwise...

To these set of people, it is all about ideological supremacy, the corruption and the incompetence are just the products, and they don't mind, that's why you don't see them talking about corruption and the things you listed under Tinubu's government because they are not bothered as long as the leaders are doing certain things they want, they are OK with the baggage that comes with it including the insecurity and other negative things that might also be affecting them..

Oracleee:
The write up is apt and Wisdom filled. But are Nigerians ready to act on this? The likes of helinues, hachenoire, richtaiwo, salewa97, muyico, freestuffng, yarimo, Burop will sabotage every wisdom you're trying to pass. That's the reality of been a Nigerian at present.

Poor analysis
No country can survive without tax
60% of Nigerian still not paying tax
Especially Northern part of Nigeria!
Most of them no use banks acct
How petty trader want pay tax?

Sovereign idleness is our bane. You created states but gave no clear target.

muyico:
Poor analysis
No country can survive without tax
60% of Nigerian still not paying tax
Especially Northern part of Nigeria!
Most of them no use banks acct
How petty trader want pay tax?

Stop typing nonsense.

What makes you think Northerners don't pay taxes? Do you personally walk into a tax office to pay yours?

Visit any market in the North and try insisting on a bank transfer or POS payment, you will be surprised. As for consumption tax, it is already embedded in the final price paid by consumers.

Petty traders exist across every region of the country, so that is hardly a regional distinction. If anything, I would argue that Northerners pay more taxes than you do because they are not very familiar with tax evasion tricks the way you are. Feel free to prove me wrong.

muyico:
Poor analysis
No country can survive without tax
60% of Nigerian still not paying tax
Especially Northern part of Nigeria!
Most of them no use banks acct
How petty trader want pay tax?

It is a big time lie, tax is to generate money, resource rich countries dont heavy tax their citizens. Nigeria's problem is wastage, and corruption. Each Nigerian state has enough lands to even be self reliant in food production. U dont get?
We spend trillions on keeping our politicians lifestyle. That is too much. We should be spending that amount on education to build citizens who can harness our natural resources into finished goods. When we export more finished goods, our naira to dollar will strengthen. We will have more capital inflow based on real products, not raw materials.
We import 95 percent of the time which is the real issue.
Use DRC for example, the country is so rich that she can afford to provide core social services but yet, it has extremely poor people. Do u think increasing tax in DRC will fix that? Some of u dont really understand why tax came up in the first place. It is basically for state to have money.
If state can make money from their natural resources and put that money into good use, they dont need to heavy tax their citizens. U cant be taking up to 40 percent of our money as tax in a country with 80 percent poor. U are going to push the remaining 10 percent into lower struggling thresh-hold.
U cant copy Europeans in everything. No way.
U can keep VAT, u can keep company tax, but income tax shouldnt be 24 percent for god's sake. U dont get it? We provide evrything by our selves, so ur income is not even enough.
I dont know how to explain this but let me give u a break down.
Let say before I wasnt paying income tax and I was making 20m per year.
Now, I got included in the tax bracket. Okay, before let say I was spending 3.5m per year on fueling gen and repair of gen to generate electricity for my house, not business, but my house.
Okay, i spend that from my 20m per year, I have 16.5m left to cover other stuff such as private education, healthcare, feeding, etc.
Now, govt includes me into tax bracket but govt didnt fix electricty, didnt fix education. Then my tax to govt at the end of the year is 3m for instance.
So, I will remove 3m from my 20m which leavs me with 17m, right? But then govt didnt fix electricity, I still have to pay the 3.5m (infact, it must have increased due to removal of subsidy), let say I will need to spend 4.5m on fueling and generator servicing. This has left me shortened badly.
Then I will need to attend to other stuff that got increased such as school fee, water purchase, healthcare, etc.
If govt had fixed electricity, I would have saved 4.5m per year, so paying govt 3m wont hit me hard. If govt had attended to education, I would have used public school for my kids which would have saved me cost. Then water, I will not need to buy bottle water. All these will save me cost. So I will focus on feeding, re-investing my money and growing. I will be able to build house, expand and society grows. Do u understand now?
But govt made money, instead of investing in key sectors such as healthcare, electricty, education, water, security, etc. These are social services that will reduce the expenses on average citizens. But govt spent more money on SUV, feeding politicians, wasting money, inflating prices in budget, they spent money doing mass wedding, on religious activity. Arent u seeing the issue? or are u still blind?

Richtaiwo:
Stop typing nonsense.

What makes you think Northerners don't pay taxes? Do you personally walk into a tax office to pay yours?

Visit any market in the North and try insisting on a bank transfer or POS payment, you will be surprised. As for consumption tax, it is already embedded in the final price paid by consumers.

Petty traders exist across every region of the country, so that is hardly a regional distinction. If anything, I would argue that Northerners pay more taxes than you do because they are not very familiar with tax evasion tricks the way you are. Feel free to prove me wrong.

Even petty traders pay tax. I think most yorubas feel that tax is only income tax. They dont know that there are many form of taxes and tax is tax. Nigerians have always paid tax. What most didnt pay was income tax due to we have mainly informal sector. And for our country to have mainly informal sector, it shows how terrible the country is. Nigerians have always paid VAT, paid import taxes, levies and charges to govt since colonial era. These funds were generated and used to fund the lifestyle of politicians mainly. Can anyone tell me why FG needs 39 SUV for 15billion. Why? Mobility? So, Lexus SUV of 15m is not good enough? Why? Why should a poor country be funding politicians like we are UK or US?

Princedapace:
Even petty traders pay tax. I think most yorubas feel that tax is only income tax. They dont know that there are many form of taxes and tax is tax. Nigerians have always paid tax. What most didnt pay was income tax due to we have mainly informal sector. And for our country to have mainly informal sector, it shows how terrible the country is. Nigerians have always paid VAT, paid import taxes, levies and charges to govt since colonial era. These funds were generated and used to fund the lifestyle of politicians mainly. Can anyone tell me why FG needs 39 SUV for 15billion. Why? Mobility? So, Lexus SUV of 15m is not good enough? Why? Why should a poor country be funding politicians like we are UK or US?

Please where will you see a brand new Lexus SUV at 15m? Even Tokumbo Lexus is way more than that. The least you can get brand new 350 RX is 140m. Also, please don't tell me you are suggesting that govt officials should to be patronising foreign used vehicles for official purposes. No country ever did that.

Even the messiah of agulu land did not buy fairly used vehicles for his lawmakers. Each unit at N160m.

muyico:
Poor analysis
No country can survive without tax
60% of Nigerian still not paying tax
Especially Northern part of Nigeria!
Most of them no use banks acct
How petty trader want pay tax?

Like I said, you folks confuse lived reality to your supposed bland ideas.

Offcourse, no country can survive without tax, the op categorically stated it but what are the taxes used for? Even the nelfund is a loan. Are we to conclude the taxes are majorly to substantiate to president and his families lifestyle? With the taxes, what's the fate of the common man? Are Nigerians feeling the effects of the heavy taxes positively or negatively? So far so good, what can we boast of that the taxes have achieved so far for the common man except few selected. Just name one.

Oracleee:
Like I said, you folks confuse lived reality to your supposed bland ideas.

Offcourse, no country can survive without tax, the op categorically stated it but what are the taxes used for? Even the nelfund is a loan. Are we to conclude the taxes are majorly to substantiate to president and his families lifestyle? With the taxes, what's the fate of the common man? Are Nigerians feeling the effects of the heavy taxes positively or negatively? So far so good, what can we boast of that the taxes have achieved so far for the common man except few selected. Just name one.

Dont even mind them when they claim that no country can survive without tax, they usually think that only income tax exist. These defenders of this regime dont know that Nigerians have paid taxes since colonial era. The colonial masters brought it as a way to milk the people and fund the life of the royal family. Nigerian leaders inherited such system. We have enough lands for agriculture, enough water for water supply and even to sell water to other countries, we have enough lands to produce all the meats we need and sell to others. we have endless resources to start producing smart phones, engines, air craft, etc. The Europeans dont have these resources, so they have to rely on tax to make money to fund these projects.
We have the resources, more than enough to sell and convert to finished products. Imagine what would have happened if we had invested heavily in education, but we keep wasting money funding the lifestyles of politicians. Politicians should be the least paid in the society, they serve no good and doesnt demand mental work. It is lazy man career. Ordinary local govt chairman for Nigeria dey drive Luxury car, cant u see something is wrong? Cancellor dey drive luxury Benz, something is wrong. Our politicians have estates in other countries, these are evidences that something is wrong. A report stated that some of the most expensive estates in London, african leaders have properties there. These are what we waste money on, but these beasts want to gaslight u that u need to keep paying more taxes. It is a lie, we shouldnt even pay more than 5 percent income tax based on what we have.

AdolfHitlerxXx:
First things first .... You quoted the entire post. That's not so smart.

2nd evidence of my description of you. You say 2 regions are responsible for the state of Nigeria.

Why is your region the least desired not even by the indigenes ? Why do people flee ?

You accused me of quoting the entire post and said it is not so smart but did the same to my post, are you saying you are not so smart ?

Secondly, it seems like you people live in a fictional reality, where you people imagine a narrative, convince yourselves to believe the narrative then try to convince sane people to also believe the unreal imagination in your heads or maybe you people are just simply acting to be unrealistic to push a narrative you wish was real...

Richtaiwo:
Please where will you see a brand new Lexus SUV at 15m? Even Tokumbo Lexus is way more than that. The least you can get brand new 350 RX is 140m. Also, please don't tell me you are suggesting that govt officials should to be patronising foreign used vehicles for official purposes. No country ever did that.

Even the messiah of agulu land did not buy fairly used vehicles for his lawmakers. Each unit at N160m.

why should they drive brand new SUV? It is for mobility, right? They already have SUV becaus Nigerian politicians buy brand new SUV every year.
As a poor country, we shouldnt be living like US and UK. Buy Tokumbo, 2012 Lexus, Acura, u can get for less than 20m. No need for all of that when we are poor country. Or is my tax meant to fund the luxury lifestyle of politicians?

If 5% of Nigerians thought along these lines, Nigeria would get better fast.

Income Tax is theft.

Princedapace:
why should they drive brand new SUV? It is for mobility, right? They already have SUV becaus Nigerian politicians buy brand new SUV every year.
As a poor country, we shouldnt be living like US and UK. Buy Tokumbo, 2012 Lexus, Acura, u can get for less than 20m. No need for all of that when we are poor country. Or is my tax meant to fund the luxury lifestyle of politicians?

GodHimself:
If 5% of Nigerians thought along these lines, Nigeria would get better fast.

Income Tax is theft.

Income tax is brutal theft... the govt already taken over all natural resources in the country, everything, they still charge us for agencies such as driver's license, passport, etc. Govt makes money from us, they still take VAT, levies, import duties, bank charges, why charge up to 24 percent for income tax? U take these money and instead of investing in STEM based education, healthcare, security, so we can stop using private facilities except if u are super rich, they did nothing. They rather budget and spend billions on feeding president, SUVs, houses, etc. Damn!

Take it to the ballot.

The way this Desperados are boasting you may have to take it to the streets....

If quoting a comment is the same as quoting an entire article to you ... Really sorry for yourkidzs

Brendaniel:
You accused me of quoting the entire post and said it is not so smart but did the same to my post, are you saying you are not so smart ?

Secondly, it seems like you people live in a fictional reality, where you people imagine a narrative, convince yourselves to believe the narrative then try to convince sane people to also believe the unreal imagination in your heads or maybe you people are just simply acting to be unrealistic to push a narrative you wish was real...

AdolfHitlerxXx:
If quoting a comment is the same as quoting an entire article to you ... Really sorry for yourkidzs

What is an article and what is a comment?

This is why Tinubu MUST GO at ALL COST.

He is ready to Tax Nigerians to death in order to fund his opulent lifestyle and that of politicians to keep them pliable.

He cannot continue asking for tax while maintaining robust and luxurious lifestyle at the cost of the blood of Nigerians, who built everything they have with their sweat, tears and blood..

It cannot happen. Infact, it will not happen.

Tinubu must not be allowed to come back next year. The lives of Nigerians depends on it..

Anybody asking you to vote APC next year wants to kill you. See them as killers and murderers.